Sugar Mountain Golf Club Deck | 1054 Sugar Mountain Drive
Band schedule subject to change.
Go to SeeSugar.com/summer-concerts or call 828-898-1025 for the latest info.
Cover Image
“During the last week in May, I was showing my photography at the Edgewood Cottage gallery in Blowing Rock. Just outside the doorway was a serviceberry tree (or, sarvis tree). It was full of ripened berries drawing large numbers of birds from the local surroundings. Since I always have my photography equipment in the car, I set the camera on my tripod. Whenever there was a break in visitors, I would go outside and snap a few photos of the feasting birds. I always try to get a few shots of the birds in flight. Everything worked just right to capture this robin.” - Skip Sickler
IT TAKES A
Many Blue Ridge Energy employees work behind the scenes to provide safe, continuous electricity. Each person and department brings their A-game.
From system operators, who monitor and control the flow of electricity, to an IT team that secures the power delivery and communication systems, to customer service representatives who assist members online or by phone, every team member plays a vital role in keeping you safely and reliably energized.
All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the Publisher.
Babette McAuliffe, Publisher & Editor in Chief
Deborah Mayhall-Bradshaw, Design Director
Kathy Griewisch, Account Manager
Meagan Goheen, Marketing Manager
Tamara S. Randolph, Managing Editor Keith Martin, Cultural Arts Editor
Contributors:
Rebecca Cairns, Jim Casada, Trimella Chaney
Kim S. Davis, Brennan Ford, Morgan Ford, Gail Greco
Ginger Hansen, Michael C. Hardy, Annie Hoskins
Rita Larkin, Paul Laurent, Tom McAuliffe, Karen Rieley
Skip Sickler, Mike Teague, Carol Lowe Timblin Emily Webb, Doug Winbon, and Steve York
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Ever since I was old enough to wander around our yard and explore the various nooks and crannies, my eyes were always drawn upward. There would be amazement when I plopped down on the cool grass and looked up to see the tall branches of our giant oak tree swaying in the wind and I was certain the tips of the canopy could touch the clouds.
My assumption was that I would be able to come year after year and sit beneath that tree and reflect on my childhood. That it would stay strong and withstand the powerful seasonal winds. The fact that it had an intricate root system was beyond my scope of knowledge at the time. I simply loved that it provided shade in the summer and beautiful color in the fall. It was a great spot to set up my parents’ card table for our lemonade stand for passersby.
My fascination around trees has continued to this day—especially in the aftermath of Helene.
As I lean up against this stack of wood—just one of hundreds across our area—the realization occurs that these massive, downed trees were once strong and majestic soldiers in the woods and in folks’ yards, providing shelter, nourishment and shade. They were like my favorite childhood tree in our front yard; but Helene was a force that even these sturdy trees could not withstand.
I stopped on my hike today to examine an 80-plus-ft. tree I believe to be an oak. It looked like it had been uprooted by a giant—literally ripped from the earth. I wanted to look closer at the soil where it grew, at the intertwining root systems, the fabric of the earth. Just days before, a dear friend piqued my interest when she said, “What you are experiencing with your community coming together, even after six months, is just like the Mycelium (referred to as the ‘Wood Wide Web’) in the earth.” While our area is literally being knit together, like a carefully woven and colorful blanket, the underground fungal network for trees and other plants to communicate is doing the same—knitting together the nutrients and organic matter needed to thrive.
Above ground, the immense activity of local and visiting volunteers—some from as far away as Oregon—is inspiring, as they work tirelessly to continue to get families back into homes, keep local businesses thriving, and help folks with all their needs—emotional, physical and financial. Much work has been done to recover from Helene, yet there is much yet to accomplish.
spring!
While we are open and welcome our visitors, we also ask each other to tread lightly. We hope you take this issue with you and use it as a guide of where to hike, explore, play, create, experience the arts, shop, dine, and stay; and we invite you to return again and again to witness our ongoing recovery.
Thanks for picking us up; and our sincere appreciation goes out to our advertisers for keeping CML free to our readers.
Happy Spring!
from Beech Mountain- photo by Todd Bush
Behind the Curtain: Get to Know Our Contributors
Kim S. Davis
Kim is an Appalachian State Alumna who retired after a fulfilling career with the Avery County School System to follow her dream. She and her husband, Ja, and their boat dog, Halyard, have been sailing throughout the eastern U.S. coast and the Bahamas for several years. Kim also loves snow-skiing, reading, cooking, and traveling. As an avid wine appreciator and foodie, when she is not on the water, she enjoys working part-time at a local wine shop. She has been contributing to CML for the past eight years.
Skip began photography in 1971 when his parents gave him a 35 mm camera for Christmas. He maintained his photographic interest while working as a Park Ranger in the National Park Service; as a wilderness guide/instructor with Outward Bound; and as a trainer for various groups and teams. Skip considers himself still a student and continually seeks to see the world around him with “fresh eyes.”
“Since my earliest memories, I have sought solace in the outdoors,” says Skip—he continues to be inspired and awed by the natural world. He invites you to join him in the protection and preservation of wild areas, “where nature lives and survives by the ingrained rules written in its DNA and the natural processes that have shaped our fragile blue spaceship, planet Earth.”
Carol has traveled far and wide, but always returns to Banner Elk, her beautiful hometown that was little known outside the mountains during her youth. She got her start at Banner Elk School and later graduated from Lees-McRae College and Appalachian State University. Eventually drawn to travel journalism, she received a Lowell Thomas Award from the Society of American Travel Writers, a Charles Kuralt Award from the North Carolina Travel Industry Association, and several awards from the North Carolina Society of Historians. Past issues of Carolina Mountain Life have featured her stories about local history. In this issue, she writes about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and her Scottish roots.
Skip Sickler
Carol Lowe Timblin
Photo by
Ben Albright
Sugar Mountain Tennis Club
Meticulous public tennis courts of fast-dry, Har-tru clay. Men’s, women’s, and mixed friendlys. SeeSugar.com/tennis | 828-898-6746
June 23, 24, 25
Claire Tyler
Wonderful sweaters for every occasion. Our first trunk show of the season.
July 17, 18, 19
Zonnie Sheik
38 years with BJ’s. Wow.
July 31, Aug 1-2
Peter Ciesla
Second time with beautiful clothing. Some one of a kind.
August 11, 12, 13
Daniella Ortiz
Exquisite handbags in every color. As usual, she always has new styles.
RESORTWEAR
Our 2025 Trunk Shows
August 21, 22, 23
Edward Guski
A little bit of everything. Special dresses.
August 28, 29, 30
Zonnie Sheik is here again if you missed her in July.
September 17, 18, 19, 20
Claire Tyler For fall. If you missed her in June.
September 25, 26, 27
ALGO of Switzerland
Will come with Spring. Our last show of the season. Wonderful.
Located at 145 Main St, Banner Elk for 48 years. 828.898.4229
REGIONAL HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL
April
Easter Egg Hunts
April 17 & 19 in Boone & Beech Mtn., NC
Several High Country towns are sponsoring Easter egg hunts and other activities for the kids in our communities. On Thursday, April 17, gather for the “Easter EGGstravaganza,” beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Watauga County Parks & Recreation in Boone. Ages 0 -12 are welcome to enjoy the egg hunt, crafts with the “Horn in the West” cast, storytime, and face painting! Visit exploreboone.com for more information. On Saturday, April 19, head over to Beech Mountain’s Buckeye Recreation Center from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for their “Hoppy Easter Party,” which includes an Easter egg hunt, Easter crafts, and games. townofbeechmountain.com
Earth to Elkin
Earth Day, April 19 in Elkin, NC
On the third Saturday in April, special Earth Day events take place throughout the region, including in Elkin, NC. “Earth to Elkin” is a celebration of the town’s natural beauty and commitment to sustainability. This Earth Day event invites you to “immerse yourself in hands-on activities that foster community engagement and environmental stewardship.” Activities take place from 3-8 p.m., with live music, naturalist challenges, and an “Earth Rally” with a variety of exhibitors. Head to the Big Stage at the Yadkin Valley Heritage & Trails Center
for a world of fun this Earth Day. More information at exploreelkin.com/earthtoelkin
Mayland Earth to Sky Park
April through June in Burnsville, NC
In addition to ongoing community stargazing opportunities at Bare Dark Sky Observatory, Mayland Community College’s Earth to Sky Park hosts a variety of educational and fun events for the whole family. From laser light shows, to special visual presentations, there’s something for everyone this spring. Their newest show, “Sounds of the Ocean,” is an award-winning immersive experience to guide you on a mindful underwater odyssey. Families will also enjoy showings of “James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds,” where you’ll discover the furthermost reaches of the universe as revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever built. Also showing is “Mesmerica,” a visual music journey that brings the mesmerizing music of GRAMMY-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood together with visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world, creating an immersive experience designed to transcend time, relax, soothe, and stimulate your mind and senses. mayland.edu/esp, facebook.com/EarthToSkyPark
Merlefest | April 24-27 in Wilkesboro, NC
Taking place on the campus of Wilkes Community College (WCC), and presented by Window World, this annual celebration of founding legend Doc Watson will play host to both legendary names, like Bonnie Raitt and the Avett Brothers, and exciting
up and comers, including fast-rising honkytonk starlet Emily Nenni, Colorado-rooted newgrass ensemble The Fretliners, bluesdrenched guitar virtuoso Cristina Vane, and dozens of others. Making a surprise return in 2025, the Late Night Jam hosted by Sam Bush promises an unforgettable super-set featuring “only at MerleFest” collaborations. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 12 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.
Find out more about the history of the event, the full lineup of artists, and other festival details, and access a ticket link at Merlefest.org.
Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival
April 26 in Spruce Pine, NC
Join blacksmiths and blacksmithing enthusiasts in downtown Spruce Pine on Saturday, April 26, for this annual festival celebrating the art of the blacksmith. The event is a partnership between Spruce Pine Main Street, Penland School of Craft, and the Toe River Arts. Participants will enjoy blacksmith demonstrations, blacksmith vendor booths, a youth and adult forge-off, a hands-on tent, great food and more.
Celebrate Spring with a huge variety of events and activities related to art, food, beverages, health, music, agriculture, sports, plants, wildlife, astronomy and more! Following is just a sampling of events in store for residents and visitors to our area. For additional arts and crafts events, see our Art Remarks on page 46.
Merlefest, by Heather Cardwell
Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival, courtesy of Fire on the Mountain
HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL HAPPENINGS
Fire on the Mountain takes place 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is free, located at Spruce Pine Main Street, 164 Locust Street Spruce Pine, NC. For a full schedule of events, visit discoversprucepinenc.com/fireonthemountain and on Facebook: FireOnTheMountainFestival.
May
Beech Mountain Happenings
May - June, Town of Beech Mountain, and Beech Mountain Resort, NC
Visit Beech Mountain this spring and enjoy a full slate of activities and entertainment all season long. Celebrate “Hike On! Month” in May as you enjoy a vast network of hiking trails, with guided hikes from the Buckeye Rec Center throughout the month, and giveaways at the Visitor’s Center. During a spring trek, hikers can take in waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers. On May 28 at the Buckeye Rec Center, take part in the Naturalist Rally, which will host experts to talk about everything from mushrooms to salamanders; hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beechmtn.com/event/naturalist-rally/).
What else can you do at Beech Mountain? Canoe and fish at Buckeye Lake (the Annual “Kiddo Fishing Derby” for ages 12 and under takes place at Lake Coffey on June 7). Cycle the mountain on 51 miles of road cycling routes; mountain bike on 12 trails with over 18 miles of biking terrain. Fly a kite and share a picnic in the Beech Mountain Kite Field. Pig out on pizza and play mini golf at the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria’s Family Fun Nights, every Friday night from June through mid-August. Family Fun
Nights include live music (5:30 – 8:45 pm), a bounce house (4:00-7:30 pm) and outdoor movies (8:45 pm). Shop at the weekly Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market on the first Friday of each month, beginning June 6. Visit the one and only Fred’s General Mercantile and peruse the store’s vast selection of goods and gifts for everyone. Go birding at one of the many great wildlife viewing areas, or get active at the Buckeye Recreation Center, where you can play basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball and more; and participate in Mile High Yoga at Beech Mountain Resort beginning June 7.
Enjoy plenty of opportunities to see live music, beginning Memorial Day weekend. Concerts on the Lawn will be held Sunday evenings from 5-8 p.m., featuring live jazz, big band, blues, beach, folk, classic rock, and soul performances. This free outdoor concert series takes place on the lawn behind Top of the Beech Inn (606 Beech Mountain Parkway) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Live Music at 5,506’ begins on June 7, and the Resort’s Summer Concert Series, one of the largest music events in the area, also kicks off in early June. Visit beechmountainresort. com and beechmtn.com for more information on each of these activities. Visit the Beech Mountain Visitor Center in person at 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day® and Family Day
May 3 at Williams YMCA of Avery County, Linville, NC
The Williams YMCA of Avery County will host Healthy Kids Day® as part of their NEW Family Day at the YMCA on May 3 from 11 -2
pm. This event offers a variety of activities, vendors, and opportunities for families and youth of all ages. Healthy Kids Day® focuses on active play, nutrition education, STEM activities, arts, and more. By combining it with Family Day at the YMCA, attendees can enjoy everything the YMCA has to offer, including membership promotions, free swimming, group exercise classes, and scheduled activities in the Blackburn Athletic Facility.
Other activities include: an open house for the community, a roller skating rink for youth, a live DJ, food trucks, various vendors serving families and youth in Avery County, and much more! “We are continuing to partner with the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children to bring BLOCK Fest® to Family Day. With both Healthy Kids Day® and BLOCK Fest®, there’s something for everyone at the Williams YMCA of Avery County. Special thanks to Beech Mountain Resort, Inc. for their generous support of this community event!”
NC Fried Apple Pie Festival
May 3 in Sparta, NC
If you’re a fan of apples, fried pies, and assorted fun this is your festival! Head to Sparta this spring and celebrate the one and only “N.C. Fried Apple Pie Festival.” Celebrating its third year, the festival will be held rain or shine at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds. While primarily a food festival, you’ll enjoy dozens of juried craft vendors,
Fried Apple Pie Festival in Sparta
YMCA Healthy Kids Day®
REGIONAL HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL
and a variety of food and other vendors as part of this family-friendly festival. FB: NCFriedApplePieFestival/
Saved by a Salamander Day
May 17 in Grassy Creek, NC
On Saturday, May 17, from 1-8 p.m., the New River Conservancy, The Old Store at Grassy Creek, and many other partners will host a day of events that celebrate the significance of the New River, the small town of Grassy Creek, and the remarkable hellbender salamander. Conservation of the New River in Ashe County has a rich history, one that deserves to be remembered and commended.
The day’s events will highlight success stories, teach guests about conservation efforts, and inspire us all to enjoy the New River and its wonderful wildlife for years to come. From paddling outings, to workshops, to delicious food and beverages, to great music… the organizers have a full day planned. savedbyasalamander.org, newriverconservancy.org, theoldstoregrassycreek. com
Yadkin Valley Wine Festival
May 17 in Elkin, NC
The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival is “a delightful celebration that combines the rich flavors of local wines, tantalizing culinary delights, captivating arts and crafts, and the enchanting rhythms of live music.”
This family-friendly event takes place at Elkin Municipal Park, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and spend the day relaxing on the lawn while
sampling wine from approximately 20 Yadkin Valley wineries.
This year marks the 22nd Yadkin Valley Wine Festival, designed to show off the award-winning wine produced in the Yadkin Valley AVA, draw visitors to the area, and encourage return visits to experience the wineries and tasting rooms in person. Enjoy live music, dancing, food and other activities throughout the day. YadkinValleyWineFestival.com
Spring Home Show
May 22 in Blowing Rock, NC
Returning to Blowing Rock again this year, the Second Annual Spring Home Show, presented by Peak Sanitation, will showcase the latest in residential home services, providing inspiration and resources for homeowners and home builders. Held at the Blowing Rock American Legion from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Spring Home Show will feature a wide array of exhibitors, including local businesses and national brands, offering everything from interior design and landscaping to home improvement and living solutions. Attendees will interact with industry experts and explore innovative products and ideas to enhance their living spaces.
“We are excited to bring the Spring Home Show back to Blowing Rock,” said Cathy Barker, Vice President of Business Development for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “Last year’s event was a tremendous success, and we look forward to continuing this tradition and supporting our local community.” For more information, visit blowingrockncchamber.com
Sugar Mountain Food Truck Festival
May 24 in Sugar Mountain, NC
Eat to your heart’s content from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. at this popular foodie festival on Saturday, May 24 (Memorial Day weekend). In addition to great food, enjoy chair lift rides, the mountain bike park, yard games, live music, and more. The Lucky Strikes perform from 12 to 3 p.m. and Classic Highway performs from 4 to 7 p.m. Sample fare from a variety of popular food trucks. For a full list, visit skisugar.com/foodtruck/.
Visitors to Sugar Mountain Resort will enjoy chairlift rides for the entire Memorial Day weekend from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Rides aboard the Summit Express shuttle bikers and foot-passengers to the mountain’s peak, and the Easy Street lift services a beginner-level gravity skills trail for bikers only. After the special Memorial Day weekend, the bike park resumes Bike Park & Scenic Chairlift Rides during the July 4th weekend. Visit skisugar.com/bikepark/ for specific days, hours and times.
Also part of the Memorial Day weekend festivities, Sugar Mountain’s Grillin’ and Chillin’ Live Music and Dinner Series begins on Memorial Day (May 26), and then every Wednesday, June-August, and on Labor Day, at Sugar Mountain’s Golf and Tennis Club House Deck. Wear your dancing shoes! Seating is also available inside and all events happen rain or shine (seesugar. com/summer-concerts/). Visit SeeSugar.com and Skisugar.com for all the spring happenings at Sugar Mountain!
HAPPENINGS
Diggy Donuts at Sugar Mountain Food Truck Festival
Saved by a Salamander Day
HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL HAPPENINGS
Art on the Greene
Beginning May 24-25 in Banner Elk, NC
This series of spring and summer fine art shows take place on the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. The first event kicks off Memorial Day weekend, with additional shows July 5-6 (Fourth of July weekend), August 2-3, and August 30-31 (Labor Day weekend). Art on the Greene highlights works from local and regional artists representing a variety of media, such as ceramics, glass, metal, wood, watercolor, acrylics and oil.
In addition to the art, crafts, food and fun on “the Greene,” you can enjoy the many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the festival. Download the new “Banner Elk Mile” walking map at BannerElk. com. And if you’re in town for a long weekend, don’t miss the Thursday evening free concerts in Tate-Evans Park, every Thursday beginning June 26 (through August 14) at 6:30 p.m., sponsored by the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce. townofbannerelk. org/artonthegreene, bannerelk.com, bannerelk.org
June
The Coolest Corner Ashe Bash
June 7 in Jefferson, NC
The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce will again sponsor this completely free and family-friendly musical celebration on Saturday, June 7, at 6 p.m. for High Country residents and visitors to the region. This year’s concert will feature Scythian, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge.
The popular bash will be held at the Ashe County Government Complex, located above Bojangles in Jefferson (150 Government Circle). A variety of food vendors will be serving treats on site beginning at 5 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m. Shuttle service to the venue will be provided from parking lots at the former Lowes Foods shopping center on Mt. Jefferson Road, the Ashe County Civic Center, and Ashe Memorial Hospital. Guests are invited to bring a chair; no alcohol or pets allowed. ashechamber. com/ashe-bash.php
Apple
Hill Farm Alpaca Shearing Day
June 7 in Banner Elk, NC
All are welcome, but reservations are required for this unique and popular event at Apple Hill Farm in Banner Elk. “Our alpacas grow up to four inches of fiber every year, and must be shorn once a year!”
You’ll get a front row view of the whole process of shearing, fleece sorting, and more. Learn all about alpacas and llamas, and check out the store to see finished products, including yarn and socks made from the farm’s own alpacas. Tour guides will be on hand to answer questions about the process, products, and animals. “We will also be offering our regular public tours on Shearing Day, with viewing of the alpacas and shearing as part of your tour.” The farm is home to nine species of animals, including alpacas, llamas, goats, mini-cows, and more. On Shearing Day, your family can take a guided walking tour and learn about all the animals that live and play at Apple Hill Farm. Purchase your shearing day passes and learn more at applehillfarmnc.com
High Country Jazz Festival 2025
June 13-15 in Boone, NC
The Appalachian Theatre partners with Boone Sunrise Rotary & Appalachian State University’s Jazz Studies program to present the 4th Annual High Country Jazz Festival. The High Country Jazz Festival brings first-rate jazz experiences to Boone and Blowing Rock during this three-day event. Read our article on page 59 to learn more about jazz in the High Country and this exceptional music festival. apptheatre.org/ highcountryjazzfestival
Boonerang
June 19-22 in Boone, NC
Each year, Boonerang Music & Arts Festival celebrates Boone, NC, with a free downtown street festival. This community homecoming brings Boone-linked artists and fans together every third weekend in June “to Boonerang back to the place we love.”
The Boonerang free music and arts festival includes multiple concert stages throughout downtown Boone, primarily made up of artists with Boone connections—this year, more than 30 acts will participate! Other festival highlights include local food, craft beer and wine, an artist market, a vintage market, a kids’ zone (at the Watauga County Public Library), silent disco sessions, a dance lot, an international festival, and afterparties. Guests can also visit downtown galleries, shops, and
Continued on next page
Boonerang Music and Arts Festival, photo courtesy of Boonerang
The new Banner Elk Mile Walking Loop Map
REGIONAL HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL
restaurants. Find a full list of performances and a map of stages at boonerangfest.com There, you can also get a feel for the festival by viewing the 2024 “Boonerang Wrap-up” video.
NC Rhododendron Festival
June 20-21 in Bakersville, NC
The NC Rhododendron Festival is in its 78th year, drawing hundreds of visitors from all over the region. Bakersville, in Mitchell County, was hard hit by Helene, and the community has been busy rebuilding and recovering—they’re excited to welcome visitors back to town, and to this long-running festival! The event features the Rhododendron Festival Pageant, a Craft Fair, food vendors, children’s activities, and live music throughout the day, as well as a classic car show, and one of the largest square dance events in N.C.! On Friday and Saturday nights during the Festival, grab your partner and your friends for the Rhododendron Square Dance on Main Street in downtown Bakersville. Festival hours and details at ncrhododendronfestival.org
Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival
June 21-22 in Roan Mountain, TN
The Roan Mountain Citizens Club presents their 78th Rhododendron Festival at Roan Mountain State Park, located at the foot of Roan Mountain. The annual festival heralds in the blooming of the famous Catawba Rhododendron along the highlands of the Roan. You’ll find handmade crafts, food, and a variety of traditional music, plus demonstrations of old-time traditions. The
world’s largest natural rhododendron gardens grow atop 6,000-ft Roan Mountain and the shrubs are in peak bloom during late June. You can also hike the Appalachian Trail as it runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. roanmountain.com/ rhododendron-festival/
July
Sugar Mountain Summit Crawl
July 4 at Sugar Mountain Resort, NC
The Sugar Mountain Resort 9th annual Summit Crawl is a fun and competitive event in which participants run, hike, climb, or crawl from the ski lodge to Sugar Mountain’s 5,300-foot peak by way of the grassy slopes. skisugar.com/crawl/
Independence Day Celebration
July 4-6 throughout the Region
Parades, fireworks, kids’ activities, fun runs, food, beverages, live music and more! Find links to area Chambers of Commerce, TDAs and Visitor Centers at cmlmagazine. online. Be sure to pick up our Summer issue for more details!
Christmas in July |
July 4-5 in Downtown West Jefferson, NC
This year’s Christmas in July event kicks off on July 4, marking the 37th year for the festival! A hometown street festival in the heart of downtown West Jefferson, Christmas in July features handmade arts and crafts, traditional mountain music, food and family fun. As Ashe County’s
longest-running festival, it also celebrates the Christmas tree industry and our rich mountain heritage. A large stage in the middle of downtown West Jefferson is the hub for several excellent bands.
On Saturday, July 5, the Ashe County Farmers Market opens early in the morning, offering a variety of handmade items, fresh produce, baked goods, and more. The Ashe County Arts Council hosts children’s activities, performers rove the streets showcasing their magical talents, and Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive straight from the North Pole. Music and storytelling continue throughout the day. For more information on the music lineup, food vendors, and updates on the festival, follow the festival organizers on Facebook: Christmas In July Festival or visit christmasinjulyfestival.com.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 10-13 in Linville, NC
Join thousands of kilt-clad Scots who make their way to MacRae Meadows each year for this renowned gathering and games. You and your family can sample Scottish music, dancing, food, costumes, field games, sheep herding and much more. See our festival preview that follows, and read CML’s article on the 2025 music lineup at the Highland Games on page 53. gmhg.org
Be sure to pick up the Summer issue of CML Magazine for a complete look at Regional Happenings taking place July through September, 2025.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Cultural Activities
NC Rhododendron Festival in Bakersville
Christmas in July, West Jefferson
HAPPENINGS | REGIONAL HAPPENINGS
MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND THE GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES
The sounds of bagpipes, the spirit of competition, the scents of favorite foods, and the brilliant colors of Scottish tartans return to MacRae Meadows in Linville, NC, for the annual gathering and games!
Plan now to enjoy four days of festivities at the 69th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GMHG), where you’ll celebrate our area’s Scottish ancestry and culture, and cheer as you watch the clans compete. Tradition and camaraderie are tightly woven into this festive annual event, with participants traveling from across the country and world to attend; you’ll want to plan ahead to enjoy all the Highland Games has to offer.
Following are just some of the highlights to look forward to at this year’s Games. Be sure to check out gmhg.org for event times and locations.
Thursday, July 10
n Children’s field games and clinics
n MacRae Meadows open
n Scottish entertainment with traditional Celtic music, plus sheep dog demonstrations (throughout the weekend), whisky tasting, and more
n Opening Torchlight Ceremony announcing each participating Clan’s arrival to the Games; Piping & Drumming performance
Friday, July 11
n Preliminary athletic competitions, sheep dog demonstrations, and music/dancing exhibitions
n Celtic Groves open, and other music, history and food-related activities highlight the day
n Opening Ceremony
n Children’s athletic competitions; cultural activities
n Friday Night Celtic Rock Concert at MacRae Meadows
Saturday, July 12
n Amateur heavy athletic qualifying begins, competition begins for Highland Dancing Atlantic International Championship, piping, drumming, harp playing, Scottish athletic events, track & field events, sheep dog demonstrations, Scottish country dancing, Scottish fiddling, Scottish harp, Celtic Groves entertainment, Massed Bands performance, and other cultural activities
n Opening Ceremony
n Saturday Night Celtic Jam Concert at MacRae Meadows
Sunday, July 13
n Scottish Heavy Athletic Demonstration & Clinic, Highland Dancing competition
n Worship Service & Kirkin’ of the Tartan
n Parade of Tartans, Guests of Honor & Distinguished Guests are introduced as all members of the sponsoring clans are invited to march in the parade
n Highland Dance Championship Competition, Scottish athletic events, sheep dog demonstrations, kilted miles, children’s events, Scottish country dancing, Scottish fiddles and harps, piping competitions, Clan Tugs-of-War, Celtic Grove entertainment, history and cultural activities
n Closing Ceremonies
For tickets, detailed schedules, maps, and information on lodging, parking and shuttle busses, visit the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games website at gmhg.org. And be sure to pick up the summer issue of CML for additional highlights on the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.
“Have fun and take home some terrific memories!”
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Clan Representatives, photo by James J. Shaffer, courtesy GMHG
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Massed Bands
Photo by Mike Lacey
Making Strides after the Storm
By CML Staff
“Because of the tireless work by state and federal employees, local folks, and thousands and thousands of volunteers, the mountains are OPEN.”
–Mast General Store
Greatprogress has been made in the months following Tropical Storm Helene. Downed trees continue to be removed and repurposed, homes are being repaired, bridges are being built, businesses are reopening, and life is gradually returning to “normal” for those who were impacted by the storm. In recent months, relief efforts have been streamlined, long-term needs have been assessed, and resources are efficiently making it into the hands of those who are still in need. Here, we recognize just some of the efforts and successes.
High Country Businesses Are Open!
Though the area continues to recover, our High Country counties are open for business—and our small businesses need your support more than ever this season. Return to your favorite shops, attractions and restaurants, while also considering exploring destinations that may be new to you. CML Magazine is a great place to start your search! If you’re a part-time resident, invite your friends to visit the mountains this spring and summer to help boost the local economy. And if you’re here for a vacation, we hope you’ll
return and explore the many wonderful communities that make up the High Country of NC, VA, and TN.
Long-Term Recovery Groups Form
Dedicated people and organizations involved in storm recovery are now working together more closely to identify and fulfill the ongoing needs of people in our region. Long-term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) have recently formed in several High Country counties to bring together a cooperative body of representatives from faith-based, nonprofit, government, business and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from disaster. The Avery County Long-Term Recovery Group, which formed in January, recently reported that most of the displaced families in Avery County have been able to return home, thanks to the many local entities working together! averyltrg.com
Local Churches Uplift Community
Just after the storm, and ever since, our local churches have been busy addressing immediate needs in every small community
within the greater High Country. Churches of every denomination have responded to the relief and recovery efforts by serving as resource centers, collecting monetary donations, offering caring support and counseling, and sending out armies of volunteers to do hands-on repair and restoration work. If you’re still looking for ways to help, your local church is a great starting point. Many churches are also connected to your specific county’s LTRG efforts.
Christmas Memories Linger
“Operation Santa’s Chopper Cheer,” a program of The Pantheon Project, made a lasting impression this winter with children in our region. During the holidays, Santa suited up for a special trip to the area on his helicopter sleigh and landed in several High Country towns to bring gifts and spread joy. Santa and elves visited schools and childcare facilities, delivering toys and critical supplies to children and families in need post-Helene. “These amazing children were out of school for over 25 days! Many of their homes were without power, clean water, and even suffered
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Grace Lutheran Church, Boone— their Helping Hands Wood Lot Ministry provides firewood to families in need
Mast Store
damage. This is the least we could do to bring some Christmas cheer to their lives,” said members of the Pantheon Project, a group of veterans who began volunteering in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene struck. The Pantheon Project is on Instagram and FB.
Kudos to the Avery County Young Professionals
Avery County Young Professionals are dedicated to their mission “to connect young professionals with the community, foster personal and professional development, and make a positive impact.” Following Helene, the group launched Build Back Avery, a grassroots fundraising effort dedicated to helping Avery County residents recover and rebuild. Their successful fundraising effort resulted in the organization distributing $40,000 in grants across the county. Of that total, $35,000 were in direct checks to families, $3,000 were paid to utility companies on behalf of applicants, and $2,000 went toward grocery and gas cards. “A huge thank you to our donors for trusting us to see this program through. Your support is helping us make a real difference, one family at a time.” averyyoungpros.com
Waterway clean-up now underway in the High Country
Chief Cares: Creating a New Community in Avery County
Renowned musician Eric Church, who has a home in Banner Elk and is co-founder of Chief Cares Foundation, continues his mission of bringing hurricane relief to Avery County in the form of new homes. Recently, Chief Cares Foundation closed on a parcel of land along Hickory Nut Gap Road in Newland and a team is in place to develop the property. Over the spring, they will work on infrastructure for the new community, including building a road and installing water/ sewer utilities.
Church shares “…with a disaster like this … the most important thing we can do is keep the people from the community, in the community.” Chief Cares aims to have the first of many new Clayton Homes delivered in June. These homes are specifically for displaced families who, once approved, will be able to live in the house rent-free for two to three years with future opportunities to purchase the home with low interest rates. To help manage the work and process applications, Chief Cares has opened a Newland office located at Newland Town Hall. For more information, visit chiefcares.org
Twelve Tiny Homes, One Huge Accomplishment
Shortly following the storm, over 60 members of the Central Pennsylvania Amish community traveled to Boone, NC, and built 12 tiny homes for displaced families, a project completed in just 48 hours and funded entirely by Amish donations, estimated at over $300,000. The homes were built in the parking lot of Cornerstone Summit Church. It was reported that the group traveled with five trailers full of supplies, including tools, propane tanks, and other equipment, which they donated to the local community upon completion of the homes. What a gift from our northern neighbors!
Debris Removal Continues
As of mid-March, many thousands of cubic yards of debris had been collected from roadsides and public property in the High Country, as the shift now focuses to our waterways. Making progress on a large scale might seem slow, yet waterway cleanup requires a highly coordinated effort with local, state and federal governments, vetted contractors and the Army Corp of Engineers. FEMA, along with state-approved
Samaritan’s Purse Volunteer Group, courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.
contractors, have been surveying waterway damage for months to determine how and when monies are distributed to fund removal and restoration projects.
When it comes to our rivers, in addition to removing debris—trees, trash, vehicles, and other large objects—sand, silt and soil need to be removed in some riverbeds to return them to pre-storm levels and prevent future flooding. Upon completion of debris removal, the Army Corps of Engineers will begin the river and creek restoration, which could take years to complete.
For private property owners, Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) programs continue to be available to citizens, who can apply for help with debris removal from their property and demolition of hazardous structures. For more information, visit averycountync.gov townofboone.net, wataugacounty.org/ ppdr, townofbannerelk.org or your local government or Chamber of Commerce website.
State Assistance:
Private Road and Bridge Program
Many private roads, culverts, pipes, and bridges were damaged or destroyed following Tropical Storm Helene’s impacts across
North Carolina. In early January, Governor Josh Stein issued an order that directed North Carolina Emergency Management to administer state assistance for the repair of private roads and bridges. The North Carolina Private Road and Bridge Program (NCPRB) was established to provide that assistance.
“Helene caused significant damage to over 8,000 private roads and bridges that often serve as the only access route for many ambulances, fire trucks, mail delivery vehicles, school buses, and for people to get to school, work, and run errands,” said Governor Stein. “If left unrepaired, these critical private roads and bridges pose a substantial risk to public safety, including preventing repairs to people’s homes. If you need bridge or road repair, I encourage you to apply through this portal.” www.ncdps.gov/Helene/PRB
As of publication, the State of NC has committed approximately $1.5 billion in total relief funding as a result of Hurricane Helene.
Scammers Among Us
With so many good folks involved in so many acts of kindness, it’s hard to believe that
there are less-than-kind people who look for ways to exploit the programs that aim to help those who are truly in need. Examples include fraudulent GoFundMe pages, Venmo accounts, and applications for housing assistance (there are even accounts of people from outside our disaster-affected region receiving donated campers through relief organizations and illegally squatting on private mountain property).
According to FEMA, following disasters “con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft… in some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.” Be aware that bad apples will always be among us, and report suspicious acts immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department, or contact your state’s Office of the Attorney General (1-877-5-NO-SCAM in NC).
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Darin & Brooke Aldridge at the Elk River Helping Hands Summer Concert Series
Linville Caverns and Gift Store reopen after months of storm clean-up (read our update on page 107)
Helping Hands Concert Series
Elk River Helping Hands is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to assisting with the needs of people of the High Country who have experienced a devastating crisis. Elk River Helping Hands is unique in that it provides expedited emergency relief directly to residents of Avery and Watauga Counties in North Carolina, and Carter County in Tennessee. As of early spring, the organization had given $600,000+ directly to residents for storm repairs and recovery.
As they continue to support victims of Helene, Elk River Helping Hands will hold its Helping Hands Concert Series beginning this spring—these benefit concerts, held at Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, will raise additional funds to help area residents. Concerts scheduled at the time of publication include: Jimmy Fortune with Darin & Brooke Aldridge on June 6; John Oates and Jim Lauderdale on June 20; and Gary Morris and Presley Barker on August 8. For information and tickets, visit elkriverhelpinghands.org.
Strong Sales for “Mountain Strong” Items
In the wake of Helene, the Mast General Store began selling Mountain Strong shirts and stickers to raise money for organizations helping the region recover from the storm. “We are humbled by the response to the design, which was created by one of our onstaff graphic artists (Anna Preston). Its heart rising on the mountains is a symbol of hope and a reminder that we will, in time, emerge stronger and even more beautiful than before.”
As of early March, proceeds from the sale of Mountain Strong items had supported organizations in western North Carolina with contributions totaling $110,000. Here in the High Country, MountainTrue received $25,000 for their work advocating for clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities, and the Boone Area Chamber Small Business Grants received $25,000 to help businesses in Watauga County recover from loss of business and infrastructure. Mountain Strong apparel and stickers are still available,
with $10 from the sale of each t-shirt and hoodie and 50% of sticker sales being donated to local relief efforts. Mastgeneralstore.com
Opportunities to Lend a Hand
Volunteer organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, Appalachia Service Project, Habitat for Humanity, Baptists on Mission, and WAMY Community Action, among others, continue to be active in storm recovery efforts throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains. Samaritan’s Purse frequently schedules volunteers to assist in rebuilding homes; Baptists on Mission seek assistance with essential home repairs; Watauga Riverkeeper (MountainTrue) welcomes volunteers for environmental clean-up and restoration projects; Appalachia Service Project recruits volunteers to help build and repair homes and make them more disaster-resilient; and WAMY seeks volunteers for their ongoing WAMY Warrior Volunteer Program. There are many agencies and non-profits hard at work in our region. You can learn about more volunteer opportunities by visiting the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NCVOAD) website at ncvoad.org/volunteer/, or the individual organizations’ websites. Also, check out CML’s list of charitable organizations doing terrific work in our communities at cmlmagazine.online/cml-community/goodwork-in-our-community/—there’s always an opportunity to provide hands-on help!
Andrew Ortiz
Cell: 828.578.2087
Email: andrew.ortiz@callspangler.com
The Pantheon Project—Santa delivered toys by “helicopter sleigh” to children at Riverside Elementary, Banner Elk Elementary, Little Faces Day Care, and Spear Country Store in Avery County for Home-School kids.
Celebrate May by hiking the miles and miles of trails that have reopened on Beech Mountain. Take in a tranquil waterfall, colorful wildflowers, friendly wildlife and breathtaking views. It’s May, hike on! beechmtn.com
Through theLens . . .
By Skip Sickler, photographer
I am now in the waning years of my life, well into retirement. Yet, the relentless search for meaning and fulfillment, a constant shadow since my adolescent years, doggedly nips at my heals like the yapping set of chihuahua teeth, on which I wasted a newspaper early each dawn while delivering the morning news to a sleeping neighborhood.
I look to the changing seasons, winter into spring, and its corresponding display of renewed magic and wonder, stimulating the very core of my being, to provide comfort and reassurance of my place and time within this short circle of life. Since my earliest memories, I have sought solace in the outdoors. I continue to be inspired and awed by the beauty of the natural world. I find myself more centered, more alive while immersed in the nearby mountains, streams and forests.
The natural world breathes a sigh of re -
newal during its annual transformation from one of reflection and introspection into one of future possibilities as the dormant winter scenery gives way to the vibrant tapestry of the rich colors and textures of spring. It is here I seek inspiration in the hopes of satisfying my internal urge to discover the truth of beauty which continues to exist in the non-manmade world. Though it often goes unnoticed during the rapid pace of modern life, it is there, just waiting to be discovered through quiet observation, thoughtful introspection and deliberate exploration.
The mystery and magic of life, the spirit of the natural world, can only be discovered through a sense of wonder, as described by Rachel Carson. It is this sense of wonder I wish to continue cultivating within myself as an artist. It is this rekindling of the primordial fire within my soul I am most in need of as the
days grow increasingly longer. After all, art is only a means of seeing. Sigurd Olson wrote, “Only when one comes to listen, only when one is aware and still, can things be seen and heard.” It is in this spirit I venture forth: to look more closely, more intensely, more soulfully, more intentionally at the world and my relationship to it. The translation of these feelings into a visual image is my challenge of creating impact and meaning as an artist.
So it is, in this spirit, I eagerly look forward to the yearly cycle of new beginnings. I quietly step into the natural sanctuary searching for the magic and wonder my ancient ancestors must have felt eons ago in their own search for belonging and connection to the world in which they belonged. Join me on this journey into the Spring of New Possibilities.
CAROLINA MOUNTAIN
Photo by Skip Sickler
The New Normal Returns Onstage in the High Country
“Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.”
By Keith Martin
That Toni Sorenson quote has been reverberating in my mind as I am frequently encouraged by the resilience of cultural arts organizations as they strive mightily to define the “new normal” by which all of them continue to create their magic. As a means of reference, our Spring 2024 issue one year ago marked the first time that we covered roughly the same number of events as before the 2020 “damn-demic.” Just as our groups slowly but surely returned to their previous level of production, Hurricane Helene hit the High Country hard last September 27, knocking them down yet again with the second “once in a century” catastrophe in four and a half years.
Almost two-thirds of the productions listed in our autumn issue were either cancelled or rescheduled, yet the winter issue demonstrated the show biz mantra that “the show must go on.” As we go to press with this edition of CML, indefatigable companies ranging from the champion Watauga High School Pioneer Playmakers in Boone to the small but determined Ensemble Stage in Banner Elk to the venerable State Theatre of Virginia at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon have ALL defined a “new normal” by producing work with fewer resources for growing audience numbers slowly returning to previous levels; together they demonstrate “a rebirth of the spirit” that is the arts.
Here are several of the events that have been announced from now through midJune, plus a sneak peek at select summer offerings, each listed alphabetically by producing company, with more to be announced shortly.
PLEASE NOTE that all the performances, dates, and times are subject to change; readers are strongly encouraged to check individual websites and/or the theatre box offices for the most current information.
See you at the theatre!
The APPALACHIAN THEATRE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY (ATHC) continues its inaugural Metropolitan Opera HD Live Series with three highly anticipated Lincoln Center performances on the broadcast schedule. April 26 brings Mozart’s 1786 comic masterpiece Le Nozze di Figaro to the ATHC stage with conductor Joana Mallwitz making her Met debut. It is followed on May 17 by Richard Strauss’ biblical story of Salome, a “white-hot one-act tragedy” receiving its first new production at the company in 20 years. The series concludes on May 31 with Rossini’s “effervescent comedy” Il Barbiere di Siviglia, directed by Lincoln Center Theatre’s brilliant Bartlett Sher, in what promises to be a “madcap production.” All three beloved operas will be broadcast on the aforementioned Saturdays beginning at 1 p.m.
April is “Jazz Appreciation Month” and ATHC is celebrating with its annual Night of Jazz on April 29, a collaborative concert event featuring jazz musicians from the Watauga High School Jazz Ensemble and Appalachian State University’s Jazz Ensembles I and II. The education programming theme continues on May 2 with the Watauga Education Foundation’s Shooting Stars Performing Arts and Visual Arts Showcase, celebrating the remarkable artistic talents of students from Watauga County Schools and featuring live performances and a visual art display. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, science fiction fans will gather for both Star Wars and May the Fourth (Be With You) movie marathons on consecutive days.
June is a very busy month on the Doc Watson Stage at the ATHC, beginning with a June 6 concert by Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives led by country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician Stuart, a five time Grammy Award-winning member of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. On June 12, Old Gods of Appalachia brings an eldritch horror fiction podcast set in an Alternate Appalachia, a world where these mountains were never meant to be inhabited.
“This world feels eerily similar to the hills and hollers we’ve grown up with, but there are some tell-tale differences. Names of towns and counties may be altered. Historical events slide forward or backward in time. And then, of course, there are the monsters.” On June 27, International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainers of the Year, Balsam Range, return to the ATHC. The original members are all acoustic musicians and singers from WNC who thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of their home county of Haywood, NC. AppTheatre.org
The ASHE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL in West Jefferson has programmed several events worthy of consideration. Wordkeepers on April 26 lets writers share their latest prose and poetry in five-minute open mic time slots and is free and open to the public. Coffee House Live takes place on May 3 at the Arts Center showcasing local and regional acts. May 17 brings the WKSK Live Radio Show featuring the Crooked Road Ramblers, and blues artist Buffalo Nichols performs at the Ashe Arts Center on May 22, reimagining blues for today’s world by blending traditional sounds with modern elements, exploring themes of love, identity, and resilience. AsheCountyArts. org
Just in time for Oral Health Month (and for all you who aspire to “Be A Dentist”), the ASHE COUNTY LITTLE THEATRE is producing the cult classic rock musical Little Shop of Horrors with music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doowop and early Motown, includes several wellknown tunes, such as the title song, “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Somewhere That’s Green,”
Metropolitan Opera HD Live Series Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
and “Suddenly, Seymour.” Performances are June 26 through 29 in the Ashe Civic Center. AsheCountyLittleTheatre.org
CULTURAL
At the BARTER THEATRE in Abingdon, VA, a revival of their popular Million Dollar Quartet plays through May 11 on the Gilliam State. It is the story of an impromptu jam session involving Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash that happened by pure chance on December 4, 1956, at the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, now considered a seminal moment in rock and roll. It is followed from May 24 – August 17 by Disney’s Frozen by Jennifer Lee with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Fearless optimist Anna, along with her new friend Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, set off on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.
Across the street in the Smith Theatre through June 1 is Thurgood by George Stevens, Jr., part of Barter’s Black Stories, Black Voices series. The play follows the remarkable career of the man who would become the very first Black Supreme Court Justice in American history, Thurgood Marshall. Starting with his early days working as a young lawyer on the cornerstone Brown v. Board case in favor of overturning existing “separate but equal” legislation, this one man tour-de-force starring Vince McGill showcases the courage, integrity, and determination that skyrocketed a humble civil rights activist into becoming a true American hero.
BARTER PLAYERS Classic Theatre for “Kids of All Ages” has two family-friendly shows on tap this spring with Pete The Cat performing through May 10, with script and lyrics by Sarah Hammond and music by Will Aronson. Based on the book series by Kimerbly and
James Dean, Pete’s life is an adventure no matter where he ends up, so the minute this “groovy blue cat” meets the Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking… except Jimmy, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. From June 10 – July 12, The Jungle Book performs as adapted by Catherine Bush from Rudyard Kipling’s novel. When Raksha the She-Wolf discovers a human baby alone in the jungle, she adopts Mowgli the “man cub” as her own. As Mowgli grows, he is taught the law of the jungle by his mentors Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the Black Panther, and Kaa the Snake. But will their wisdom keep him safe from the clutches of Shere-Khan, the maneating tiger? BarterTheatre.com
Check out our Regional Happenings and Music Guide for info about the fourth annual BOONERANG MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL, taking place June 19 - 22 on seven different stages and venues in downtown Boone. This free downtown street festival is a community homecoming that brings Boone-connected artists and fans “to Boonerang back to the place we love” (BoonerangFest.com). Now in its second year, Boone’s Got Talent on June 19 is a kick-off event during which High Country acts can showcase their talent on the Doc Watson Stage at the historic Appalachian Theatre, who is co-producing the event with Mountain Home Music. AppTheatre.org
Four offerings remain on the spring schedule at the CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (CoMMA) beginning on April 16 with Uptown: A Celebration of Motown & Soul, “with the class of young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5, and the energy of Bruno Mars....everyone’s going uptown!” A free event takes place on April 26 with Six String Soldiers of The United States Army Field Band, an ensemble stationed in Washington, D.C. that travels the country connecting America to its Army through music. On April 29 the World Ballet Company’s The Great Gatsby steps into the jazzy world of the
Roaring Twenties with this new production that captures the glitz, glamour, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel live on stage. Last but not least is BeeGees and ABBA, the Ultimate Tribute Show on June 14, “where nostalgia and electrifying performances collide” with iconic hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Stayin’ Alive.” CommaOnline.org
The DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE at Appalachian State has only one production remaining on their season, but it’s a goodie: She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen with performances from April 24 – 27 in the Valborg Theatre. When Agnes loses her younger, teenage sister Tilly in an accident, she joins Tilly’s “Dungeons & Dragons” campaign to try and connect with her lost sibling. But instead of simply playing a game, she finds herself catapulted into an action-packed D&D world. “In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ‘90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.” TheatreandDance. AppState.edu
The final production of the season in the DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY in Johnson City is an April 27 collaboration with the Department of Music on a Sondheim Musical Review. It is based on the works of the late composer and lyricist who is regarded as one of the most important figures in 20thcentury musical theater and widely credited with reinventing the American musical, scheduled to coincide and commemorate the 95th anniversary of his birth. ETSU.edu/cas/ theatre
The MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT ETSU is bringing two Broadway national tours to their Johnson City campus beginning with Dear Evan Hansen from April 15 - 17. With a Tony Award-winning book by Steven Levenson and Grammy Award-winning music
Million Dollar Quartet Barter Theatre
and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, it has been declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post; this is the first musical to take a groundbreaking look—from the point of view of both the parents and young people—at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives. Note that this show is recommended for ages 12 and up and contains adult themes, including discussions of suicide. Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s musical Come From Away on April 28 – 29 takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. “On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.” ETSUMartinCenter.org
As of press time, the 16th season of ENSEMBLE STAGE had yet to be announced, but they submitted an ad stating that Michele Lowe’s comedy thriller The Smell of the Kill will run from June 13 – 22 in the Historic Banner Elk School. The author’s publishing company says, “Take three delicious, malicious wives, add three miserable, unloving husbands— and chill. That’s the recipe of Michele Lowe’s tantalizing new comedy that had Broadway audiences cheering.” EnsembleStage.com
For the fourth year in a row, the HIGH COUNTRY JAZZ FESTIVAL (HCJF) brings to fruition a decades-long dream of local musician Todd Wright: a collaborative project to host exceptional and engaging jazz experiences that will attract regional audiences. The festival raises funds to support arts and education initiatives of the Appalachian Theatre, App State Jazz Studies Program, and Boone Sunrise Rotary, programs that sustain and enrich our High Country home. Taking place from June 13 - 15, this annual event has, yet again, booked an impressive line-up, along
with jazz luncheons, dinners, lectures, workshops, late night jam sessions, and a variety of festival packages. Please see the sidebar story to this cultural calendar for a listing of artists or visit HighCountryJazzFestival.org.
LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE in Banner Elk has two live performing arts series each summer including “an entertaining music series” called the FORUM with back-to-back tribute concerts presented at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Mondays from late June to early August. The early lineup includes Miami Sound Review’s A Tribute to Gloria Estefan on June 16, Daybreak: The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow on June 23, and the Western Piedmont Symphony on June 30. forum@lmc.edu
Founded in 1985, the LEES-MCRAE SUMMER THEATRE begins its fifth decade of new and original musicals and popular plays with three productions in 2025, beginning on June 1 – 4 with Nunsense, a musical comedy with a book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin. Originating as a line of greeting cards, Goggin expanded the concept into a cabaret show and eventually into a full-length musical about the Little Sisters of Hoboken. The original production ran for 3,672 performances to become the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history, and has since been adapted for television, starring Rue McClanahan, and has spawned six sequels and three spin-offs. From June 22 – 28 in Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, LMST will produce Sandy Rustin’s The Cottage, “wherein the true meaning of fate, identity, and marriage are called into question as a surprising, hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous— potentially murderous—uncharacteristically feminist, 1923 British tale of sex, betrayal, and oh yes, love ... when Sylvia Van Kipness decides to expose her love affair to her husband and her lover’s wife.” The season closes from July 18 – 24 with the most anticipated theatre event of the summer, 1940! This is the newest musical from Dr. Janet Barton Speer and her
longtime collaborators, composers/lyricists
John Thomas and Tommy Oaks. Please see the feature story in this issue about this production or visit lmc.edu/summertheatre
MERLEFEST 2025 takes place April 24 through 27 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Please go to our Regional Happenings and Music Guide in this issue for more information, or visit merlefest.org.
TWEETSIE RAILROAD is North Carolina’s first theme park, opening on the Fourth of July in 1957. Known primarily as a Wild West adventure park with amusement rides and a petting zoo, Tweetsie features stunning three-mile long train rides aboard a historic, coal-fired, narrow gauge steam locomotive. From a performing arts perspective, Tweetsie is a major employer of professional talent and produces 21 performances of a half-dozen live entertainment and stage shows each day. A sampling of offerings includes the CanCan Dancers, Country Clogging Jamboree, Hopper and Porter’s Musical Celebration, and The Magic Show. The 2025 season runs from April 5 to November 2 with a variety of holiday events. Tweetsie.com
WILKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (WCC) and their John A. Walker Community Center in Wilkesboro are presenting Equinox Jazz Orchestra – Beatles to Bourbon Street on June 6, described as “two sophisticated Southern gentlemen and the high-energy show… inspired by the style and swagger of legendary entertainers like Frank and Dean and Sammy, making their own revisions to the Great American songbook.” WalkerCenterOnline.org
Dear Evan Hansen Martin Theatre
Noel and Maria High Country Jazz Festival
Great Gatsby CoMMA
CULTURAL CALENDAR
A Sneak Peek at Cultural Events in Our Upcoming Summer Issue
Space limitations and our print deadlines simply do not permit listing all of the wonderful productions on the summer horizon (some announced, others yet to be confirmed), but you might want to check out the websites of the following organizations for advance notice about (and to get early tickets for) these upcoming events:
The 41st season of AN APPALACHIAN SUMMER runs from June 28 to July 26, 2025, on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone beginning with singer-songwriter Amos Lee and his blends of folk, rock, and soul on June 28. Tony and Grammy winning artist Heather Headley graces the Schaefer Center stage on July 13 accompanied by Western Piedmont Symphony and a 12-piece choir, performing a selection of popular tunes from the Broadway and pop songbooks. The Alonzo King LINES Ballet will perform “Deep River” on July 19, a soulful work created in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran. The 5 Browns “The Edge of the World” on July 23 showcases a classical ensemble consisting of five pianos whose repertoire ranges from beloved concert hall staples to lesser-known works. Pink Martini on their 30th Anniversary Tour, featuring China Forbes, takes to the Schaefer Center stage on July 26 drawing inspiration from music from all over the world—crossing genres of classical, jazz, old-fashioned, and pop. For a complete schedule, visit AppSummer.org
The 54th Annual Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention on July 25 and 26 celebrates, preserves, and honors traditional music with concerts, competitions, and jamming sessions not to be missed by any serious lover of mountain music. AsheCountyArts.com
BARTER THEATRE’s summer season continues with productions of Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men from June 14 – August 16, Mountain Mamas by Daryl Lisa Fazio from June 22 – August 9, along with the Barter Player production of The Reluctant Dragon, adapted by Catherine Bush, from July 15 – August 9. BarterTheatre.com
BEANSTALK COMMUNITY THEATRE is producing Willy Wonka: The Musical the weekend of July 24 – 26 at the Appalachian Theatre in Boone. AppTheatre.org
THE FORUM AT LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE continues its popular slate of tribute bands and songbook performances on July 14 with So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary followed by Tapestry, The Carole King Songbook with Suzanne O. Davis on July 14, and Bee Gees Now! on July 21. The Olivia Show on July 28 pays homage to the late Olivia NewtonJohn before the 2025 series concludes on August 4 with the Liverpool Legends celebrating the Fab Four known as The Beatles. forum@lmc.edu
HORN IN THE WEST will open their 73rd season of Kermit Hunter’s historical outdoor drama with a reimagined production staged at the Hickory Ridge History Museum while the Daniel Boone Amphitheatre undergoes extensive renovations. Director Clarinda Ross, a Boone native and professional actress/playwright based in Los Angeles, told CML that performances will take place three nights a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) over four weekends from July 10 through August 2. horninthewest.com
Formerly an outdoor drama, the WILKES PLAYMAKERS are partnering with Bleu Moon Productions on a co-production of A Hometown Legend: Tom Dooley, A Wilkes County Legend on two consecutive weekends from July 10 – 13 and 17 – 20. Directed by the playwright, Karen Wheeling Reynolds. Step back in time and relive the haunting true story that put Wilkes County on the map. History, heartache, and hometown pride all come together in this powerful drama made famous by The Kingston Trio in their #1 hit single. WilkesPlaymakers.com
Pink Martini An Appalachian Summer Festival
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre Debuts “1940!–A Musical” in July
Timely Production is Eighth World Premiere in 12 Years
By Keith Martin
“It is 1940. The Depression has ended, and Hitler is making noise in Europe. But at the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, NC, storytellers and musicians from the back of Beech Mountain gather to spin a yarn or a song. They are a hearty lot, able to withstand a major flood and the ravages of the depression, yet maintain their charm, their humor, and their willingness to impart wisdom needed to be heard in today’s world.”
Over 84 years before Hurricane Helene brought devastation to the High Country, “The Great Flood of 1940,” also caused by a stalled hurricane and torrential rainfall, resulted in widespread flooding, landslides, and loss of life, including at least 15 who perished in Watauga County. Bridges and roads were washed out, and the Linville River Railway, which had been a lifeline for Boone, was permanently damaged; it marked the last time Boone would have regularly scheduled train service, as the company decided not to rebuild the tracks. Then, as now, local residents pitched in on the recovery effort, demonstrating a determination and sense of community to help themselves and their neighbors back on their feet.
Dr. Janet Barton Speer was struck by that resilience and started writing the piece in the summer of 2024, three months before Helene. “Volunteering after this last storm gave me much information in how to approach 1940!,” said Speer, as she shaped final drafts of the script. “In 1940, much of the land had been clearcut, so there were over 2,000 mud and rock slides. Houses were less able to withstand the impact. They also were less aware of the coming hurricane. The ground was saturated and a hurricane traveling east to west in SC turned north to the mountains. Helene’s story has the same [circumstances] with the combination of saturated ground and a hurricane.”
1940! is the newest of eight musicals written by the creative team of Dr. Janet Barton Speer and father/son, composers/lyricists Tommy and John Thomas Oaks. It is being directed by Speer in the Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College with performances from July 18 – 24,
and marks the 40th Season of the beloved summer theatre program. It follows previous productions by this talented trio including Moses (2004), Screen Test (2008), Moses Cone: The Denim King (2015, revived in 2022), Passport, Please (2018), From the Mountaintop: The Edgar Tufts Story (2019, revived in 2024), America’s Artist: The Norman Rockwell Story (2021), and The [W]right Sister (2023).
“We were thrilled when Janet asked if she could set her newest work in the original Mast General Store,” said Founder and Chairman John Cooper. “We are willing to assist her in any way possible.”
“John and Faye have been enthusiastic,” replied Speer. “Sheri Moretz (whose actual title at Mast is Storyteller) has been my primary contact, and has worked with me with props, archival information, and permission to use the store as the setting of the play. We will use archival photographs from the Mast to create the set and use ‘authentic’ mountain musicians for the pit [orchestra].”
Moretz said that it has been an interesting process. “Who would have thought that you could write a musical set in the original 1883 Mast General Store? The creative team has gone out of their way to maintain as much historical accuracy as possible.” Known as a nitpicky fact checker and expert proofreader (her Mast nickname is “Captain Comma”), Moretz says she double-checked everything on their behalf.
In this production, Speer uses actual residents from that era as her main storytellers. “Ray, Stanley, and Sarah Hicks were all cousins, and Ray and Stanley were both National Heritage winners and served at the Smithsonian. Current local Orville Hicks is Sarah’s son and still tells stories today. The fellow playing Ray in our production, Clark Tatum, used to hear Ray tell stories at his elementary school. Sadly, Tatum’s family lost everything in the last flood (Helene).”
Their stories, which due to recent events will be familiar to every audience member who attends 1940!, will be faithfully portrayed in July on the Lees-McRae College campus. For tickets and information, visit lmc.edu/summertheatre
Art Remarks
By CML Staff
Some of the southeast region’s best art and fine (and functional) crafts can be found right here in the High Country and foothills.
ART REMARKS
Over
in Banner Elk
The art galleries in Banner Elk are alive with new works, new exhibitions, and in the case of It’s All About The Art Gallery, a brand new location.
“It’s All About The Art is excited to share that we have moved to a new location in Banner Elk! We remain grateful for and committed to our community of artists, patrons, and numerous local supporters, including the Town of Banner Elk, the Chamber of Commerce, and CML,” said Amy Reshefsky, artist and gallery proprietor. “While we will miss our current neighbors, as we all continue to recover from Helene, this move allows It’s All About The Art to continue to showcase exceptional art and talent, host engaging events, and to add working studio space to interact with our partner artists.” You’ll find their new gallery at 5004 NC-105 S, Banner Elk, with a Grand Opening scheduled for May 1. “It’s All About The Art looks forward to adding more color around town and to welcoming you and new artists to our new space.” For updates, follow It’s All About The Art at ItsAllAboutTheArt.net and on Facebook and Instagram.
In downtown Banner Elk, the BE Artists Gallery at the Historic Banner Elk School has reopened for the season. Visit their light-filled space in the old brick school, built in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. This popular co-op gallery is run by member artists, and includes work from over 30 local artists and artisans. Visit BEartistsgallery.com for more information and their current hours. As in past years, BE Artists Gallery will be open during the four Art on the Greene festivals that take place in front of the Historic Banner Elk School. The first event kicks off Memorial Day weekend (May 24-25), with additional shows July 5-6, August 2-3, and August 30-31 (Labor Day weekend).
After being flooded with nearly five feet of water during Helene, Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk spent many months renovating their first floor. The gallery is now open, and on May 16 from 3 - 5 p.m., you can help them celebrate the “Grand Reopening” of renovations to ‘the
Cellar.’ Art Cellar also has several exhibitions planned for their spring season, including works by Jason Hatcher & Justin Rothshank, opening on May 21, and works by Kathy Reece, Erin Hughes, and Nathan Favors, opening on June 25. artcellargallery.com
For anyone looking for a fun opportunity to get outside and sketch in the Banner Elk area, check out Banner Elk Sketching, a casual group getting together to sketch and paint. This brand new group will meet at select spots throughout Banner Elk one day each month during spring, summer and fall. There are no fees, and no experience is necessary— “just fun sketching together and fresh mountain air!” For information, or to join the group, email Jessie Schmitt at schmittfj@gmail.com
Spring Workshops are under way at Carlton Gallery, a lovely place to peruse works by local and regional artists in all media, and a place to expand and refine your art skills! Participants with all levels of painting and artistic experiences are welcome. On May 20 and 21, Egidio Antonaccio presents “Realistic Impressionism in Oil,” inviting artists to explore any subject matter using their own photographs. On May 2729, Karin Neuvirth presents “Painting with Knives in Acrylic.” On June 3-5, Kim Abernethy leads her “Let’s Get Outdoors and Paint” workshop focusing on Plein Air Painting in Oil. On June 10-12, you can take part in Lisa Boardwine’s “Abstract Adventures” workshop in Acrylic/Mixed Media. And on June 17-19, Sharon Lampke presents “High Country Landscape Basics” in Oil.
For details on these workshops and other 2025 opportunities, visit carltongallery.com
Over in Blowing Rock
Two Benjamin Long Frescoes are now on display at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Blowing Rock. One fresco is a depiction of the 23rd Psalm while the other portrays The Good Shepherd. Commissioned by Mabel Stowe Query in 2006 for a hospice center in Mt. Pleasant, SC, the frescoes were completed in 2009.
BE Artists Gallery
The Art Cellar Gallery
Enjoy all the annual arts & crafts festivals taking place throughout the region this spring.
Eventually, they were in need of a new home, and in 2022, Rumple obtained these frescoes, storing them until the church could properly display them.
World-famous fresco artist Benjamin F. Long IV is a North Carolina native who spent years studying with European masters. His fresco art appears throughout the region, including at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Jefferson, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs, E.H. Sloop Chapel in Crossnore, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro and now Rumple Memorial in Blowing Rock.
In late March, Rumple began its Fresco Ministry to the public with docent-guided tours and viewings of these two frescoes. Tours are held on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 14 p.m. Guests can enjoy an introductory eight-minute video featuring Ben Long, shown every half hour starting at 10:30 a.m.; thirty-minute docent presentations are held at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“This is an amazing cultural light being shined on the community,” said Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) executive director Stephan Dragisic. In 2024, BRAHM hosted a special program, The Lost Frescos of Ben Long, at the museum with expert Jim Walters, who shared with BRAHM patrons the story of how these paintings were discovered, and their journey to Blowing Rock. “While Rumple will share the (biblical) story behind the frescoes, we at the museum are shining a light on the artist and the art form. We will be doing that, always thinking the frescoes are here now and a part of our community.”
For more information on the frescoes, visit rumplechurch.org/frescoministry/ or email frescoes@rumplechurch.org. The church is located at 1218 Main Street, Blowing Rock.
While in Blowing Rock, be sure to check out BRAHM’s latest special exhibitions currently on display, including Blowing Rock, A History (semi-permanent exhibit); A Cardboard History of Blue Ridge Music through April 26; SHIP/SHAPE through May 4; Dail Dixon: Modern at Scale through May 11; Storyboard to Storybook: The Beulah Campbell Collection at Appalachian State University through June 8; Considerations: An Installation by Sarah Vaughn through August 10; and The Shape of Color: Understanding Color Theory in BRAHM’s Collection through December 25. blowingrockmuseum.org
Blowing Rock Art in the Park celebrates over six decades of shows! Art in the Park was created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent. Today, Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each of their six monthly shows. Enjoy mingling with award-winning and acclaimed artisans at these juried events, curated to present a wide variety of mediums. Find gifts for everyone on your list, and works for your own collections, including pottery, fiber, glass, furniture, cutlery, jewelry, textiles, photography, painting and more. Artists’ tents line Park Avenue in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock so attendees can enjoy proximity to other shopping as well as dining options and local parks. Spring dates are May 17 and June 14. Additional dates in summer and early fall include July 12, August 16, September 6, and October 4, with hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for each show, rain or shine. Make a weekend of it and stay for the outdoor Concert in the Park that follows each Art in the Park event on Sundays. blowingrock.com/artinthepark/
Over in Boone
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) has announced the finalists for the 22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) Exhibition, on display through May 3. With over 500 images submitted by 76 artists, jurors selected 47 photographs to embody the theme “Making Kin: Belonging & Longing in Appalachia.” Photographers were asked to “show how Appalachia shapes their sense of kinship and belonging.” From across the full range of Appalachia, the artists featured offer moments of tenderness, resilience, and connection. “Belonging is found by the rivers, in the woods, at the ancestral kitchen table, within the midst of wild-crafted families, and in the murky relationships between complicated bodies.” tcva.appstate.edu
The Turchin Center also participates in the “Boone First Friday Art Crawls,” an event that sees downtown Boone come alive with creativity, community, and celebration.
Carlton Gallery
BRAHM
Ben Long Fresco
Blowing Rock Art in the Park
Turchin Center for theVisual ArtsPhotobyFrancesBukovsky
See our Regional Happenings for newsworthy topics to share related to our popular galleries, public art and working artists.
Explore participating galleries, meet local artists, and participate in collaborative art or youth programs. Additional exhibits and wine tastings take place at various downtown shops and restaurants, with special seasonal exhibitions showing at the Turchin Center on King Street, as well as the Mazie Jones Gallery in the Jones House Community Center. Spring dates include May 2 and June 6. exploreboone.com
This spring and summer, the Watauga Arts Council (WAC) will offer a diverse lineup of classes in various mediums, perfect for artists of all skill levels. Their Intro to Fiber Workshop Series invites participants to explore new fiber crafts with instructors from the Blue Ridge Fiber Guild. Classes take place on the fourth Saturday of every month through August, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn How to Crochet: Spa Day is a beginner-friendly crochet class with instructor Meredith Ross, where you’ll learn the basics while creating a relaxing spa project. Classes are held on Thursdays in May, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. In June, join instructor Cinda Ebner and Design and Paint a Barn Quilt. In this workshop, held June 21-22, you’ll learn how to draw and paint your own barn quilt on a lightweight, durable 2x2-ft aluminum composite board. Check watauga-arts.org for more information about their upcoming classes and to register. Follow WAC on Instagram (@watauga-arts) and Facebook (Watauga Arts Council).
Across the Region
Running through April 30, The Luck of the Pups is Mica Gallery’s annual fundraiser for Mitchell County Animal Rescue (MCAR). The Luck of the Pups sale features works donated by Mica artists and by the family of Bobby Kadis. Seventy-five percent of the sales of these donated works will be contributed to MCAR.
Bobby Kadis (1936-2020) was a longtime student at Penland School of Craft, a former chair of the Penland board, and a passionate supporter of the local arts community. Pottery and collecting the works of others became his avocation upon retirement. In his final years, Bobby adopted a dog for his wife Claudia because he didn’t want her to be lonely! She now dotes on this pup, and he responds with unquestioning
devotion. The family is pleased to be able to share works from his collection with Mica Gallery on behalf of animals. All of the gifted objects—gently used and displayed with pride for many years—are a testament to each donor’s love of animals. Works for sale include pieces by Robyn Horn, Shoko Teruyama, Rob Levin, Joe Nielander, Michael Kline, Bobby Kadis, and many more. Prior to the launch of this annual fundraiser, Mica contacted MCAR’s executive director Amber Lowrey to ask how the hurricane affected their work. She replied, “Before the storm we moved all of the animals out of the shelter so that we would have room for displaced and stray animals. We always use social media to help locate lost and found pets, but we amped up that work after Helene. So many pets were missing or found, always in states of distress. We were able to care for these animals and help locate owners.”
Consider joining Mica in support of Mitchell County Animal Rescue’s important work. Mica is an artist-run gallery of fine art and contemporary craft located at 37 N. Mitchell Avenue in Bakersville, NC. Visit micagallerync.com for more information.
Save the date! Penland School of Craft will hold its 40th Annual Benefit Auction this summer, August 22-23. This year marks 40 years of bringing together collectors, curators, artists, and friends for a gala weekend in the mountains of North Carolina. The Annual Benefit Auction is Penland’s signature event, their biggest fundraiser, and your chance to see and own works of art created by the artists who fill the Penland workshops with inspiration, ingenuity, collaboration, and discovery.
Last year’s auction engaged over 600 collectors, enthusiasts, artists and volunteers from across the country and internationally; nearly 200 artists contributed works of art. Registration for the event opens in May, so visit penland.org/auction and sign up for auction newsletters to get all the details as plans unfold. All proceeds benefit Penland School of Craft. This spring, you can visit the campus to explore the Penland Gallery, Supply Store, Coffee House and Resident Artists’ studios. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Penland campus is located near the town of Spruce Pine, just 25 miles southwest of Newland, NC. (Physical address: 2687 Conley Ridge Road, Bakersville, NC 28705)
Mica Gallery
Artist Eva Crawford at work on the Klondike Dam Mural.
Fiber arts enthusiasts will not want to miss the annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest taking place June 6-7 at the Higgins Fairgrounds in Sparta, NC. Set among the mountains, just a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sparta’s popular Blue Ridge Fiber Fest brings together farmers, vendors and fiber artists for a celebration of the fiber arts. Dozens of classes will be available, including knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, basketry and more. Demonstrations will include both traditional and modern fiber techniques as well as farming operations. Vendors from across the U.S. will also be at the festival.
Blue Ridge Fiber Fest runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fairgrounds are located at 1375 US Highway 21N, Sparta, NC. Learn more at blueridgefiberfest.com
The Klondike Dam is a cherished landmark adjacent to Grassy Creek Vineyard, just north of Elkin, NC. A few steps from the tasting room at Grassy Creek, you’ll find the trailhead for the state’s first official “forest bathing” trail, which connects to a greater network of trails. The Forest Bathing trail loop is approximately one mile long, which allows hikers of all levels to appreciate one of the reasons the trail is so special—it showcases some lovely artwork characterizing scenes from the foothills region depicted in a massive mural.
The mural was completed last year by Charlotte-based artist Eva Crawford, who is known for her captivating depictions of nature and landscapes, and in the Klondike Dam Mural, she has masterly captured the essence of the region. The mural, spanning the length of the 100-year-old dam, seamlessly harmonizes with the Forest Bathing Trail and the surrounding environment. Learn more about the trail, the Dam Mural and the Elkin area at exploreelkin.com and elkinvalleytrails.org
Head over to the West Jefferson Gallery Crawl on the second Friday of each month and stroll the streets of historic downtown West Jefferson. As you walk, you’ll enjoy the cool mountain breezes while listening to the sounds of street musicians—then step inside and explore downtown West Jefferson’s many galleries. The West Jefferson Arts District is full of art, color and wonderful items to grace your home and garden. Art lovers will find one-of-a-kind paintings and photography,
pottery, stained glass, quilts, fiber arts, jewelry, wood turned art, and much more.
Beginning June 13, and on second Fridays through October 10, galleries extend their hours from 5-7p.m. Crawlers will have an opportunity to see new, creative and innovative works by Ashe County’s leading artists and also view the downtown murals and other outdoor art pieces. ashecountyarts.org
There’s some good news for artists impacted by Hurricane Helene: The NC Arts Council (NCAC) recently awarded $915,000 to non-profit arts organizations in Western North Carolina affected by the destructive storm. The relief funds are being provided to 69 arts organizations throughout the impacted 26-county region. A list of awardees is available on the NCAC’s website at ncarts.org/hurricane-helene-relief-grantaward-recipients-2025/.
“The cultural and arts offerings in Western North Carolina are vital to the heritage and economic strength of our entire state,” said Arts Council Director Jeffrey Bell.
Here in the High Country, funds were awarded to Ensemble Stage in Avery County; Wilkes Playmakers in Wilkes County; Lost Province Center for the Cultural Arts, Florence Thomas Art School, Inc., and the Ashe County Arts Council in Ashe County; Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM), Project Dance Foundation and Watauga Arts Council in Watauga County; Toe River Arts Council, Inc. in Mitchell/Yancey counties; and Penland School of Craft in Mitchell County. These funds will help arts organizations fill a critical gap following the storm, which halted exhibitions and productions for several months and caused damage to structures and assets.
Regional Events and Venues that Feature Live Music:
The Village of Banner Elk, bannerelkvillage.com/entertainment/
Pedalin’ Pig BBQ, thepedalinpig.com
Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, famousbrickoven.com
The Pineola, facebook.com/thepineola/events
Casa Rustica, casarustica1981.com
Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort, chetola.com/dining-2/
The Hills are Alive!
By CML Staff
Music is made in our area all year long by skilled and talented musicians. They’re picking and jamming on the stages, in the meadows, and on front porches. Here are some of our favorite places.
Ashe Bash
Singing on Grandfather
Music Event Calendars to Consult:
High Country Host, highcountryhost.com | Good regional event calendar covering Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, Sparta, Sugar Mountain, West Jefferson, and Wilkesboro.
Blue Ridge Music Trails, blueridgemusicnc.com | Good calendar for music events across western North Carolina, with a focus on Americana styles like bluegrass, old-time, blues, and more.
Explore Boone, exploreboone.com | Brings you the most updated list of entertainment and events, from area festivals to workshops to sporting events and nightlife. Check their calendar for all the things to do in Boone and surrounding areas.
Chambers of Commerce — Ashe, Avery, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Boone, Beech, Morganton, Wilkes, Mitchell, Elkin, Yancey, Caldwell, Yadkin Valley, Abingdon, VA, Damascus, VA, and Johnson County, TN | Visit CMLmagazine.online and see the bottom of our CML community page for direct links to our local Chambers of Commerce and their event calendars.
For more information on live music in our region, check out Regional Happenings, Cultural Calendar, and Tidbits in this issue of CML, and sign up for our e-newsletters at CMLmagazine.online.
Banner Elk Cafe
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games 2025 Music Lineup
Since the first official Scottish Highland Games at Braemar, Scotland, in the 11th century, music has been the soundtrack for these clan gatherings, for their athletic competitions, and for their Scottish culture. As all would agree, these celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the sound of fiddles, whistles, flutes drums, guitars, horns, dancing, marching bands, voices and, of course…bagpipes. Throughout history, festival musicians have featured tunes honoring their ancient lore, mythical legends, loves won and lost, tragic tribulations and joyful triumphs.
In line with this legacy, our 69th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans from July 10-13 will feature a special musical tribute to the honored connection between Grandfather Mountain and Scottish history…all courtesy of Kirk McLeod and the Seven Nations band.
Celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary, headlining the Friday night Celtic Rock concert and performing on the Grove II stage on Friday and Saturday, Seven Nations will feature McLeod’s new song dedicated to the Grandfather Games. Entitled “This Place,” the song heralds the unconquerable spirit of the Scottish peoples, their culture, their legacy of triumphs and
tribulations, and their unique connection to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GMHG). And McLeod’s poignant lyrics, “Although we might be displaced, we will not be disgraced. We will find a way back home to this place.” capture that centuries-old story for all times.
“My connection to Grandfather dates back to age twelve when I started taking bagpipe lessons with Sandy Jones,” McLeod recalled. “And Seven Nations has played here for a total of 17 years, including our recorded performance for the 2020 Virtual Games during COVID. So this place is deeply rooted in my soul.” The band’s new 30th anniversary CD reunites several of the band’s former members. And, as McLeod hints, “You may even see a surprise appearance or two from some of those former bandmates over the weekend.”
Along with Seven Nations, GMHG Music Director E.J. Jones has another exceptional music lineup at the two Groves, the Alex Beaton stage and the nighttime concerts for this July’s event. New performers include Émigré, a Johnson City, TN, band featuring Austin Gregory on guitar and bouzouki, Saro Lynch-Thomason doing vocals and playing the shruti box, and Megan Drollinger on fiddle. Their style includes traditional sounds of Ireland and
By Steve York
Scotland, with ballads and fiddle tunes from Great Britain and Ireland, French-speaking Canada, Appalachia and the North Atlantic.
Also new is harpist Abbie Palmer with Lucas Ashby, a Brazilian-American multiinstrumentalist and percussionist. Born into a family of Celtic musicians, Palmer won last year’s “Emerging Forms” category at GMHG’s Harp Competition. She’s a multi-genre musician, composer, recording artist and producer, music therapist, music teacher, performer and much more. Palmer and Ashby will be collaborating together with rotating featured musical artists throughout the weekend.
Familiar favorites Ed Miller along with Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse team up with the best in traditional Scottish and Celtic music. Combining guitars, flute, whistle and powerful vocals by Chambless, this long-established trio brings a rich blend of Scottish ballads and instrumentals back to Grandfather Mountain.
The Seán Heely Celtic Band returns with their own groove of magical music from Scotland and Ireland along with original compositions. U.S. National Fiddle champion and Gaelic singer Heely is joined
Seán Heely Band Émigré
Abbie Palmer & Lucas Ashby
Scooter Muse & Jil Chambless
Ed Miller, photo by Brenda Ladd Strathspan
Seven Nations
by All-Ireland singing champion Kevin Elam, bouzouki and bass player Beth Patterson, champion fiddler Colin McGlynn, bagpiper Jesse Ofgang, dancer Agi Kovacs, and the above-mentioned percussionist, Lucas Ashby.
Western North Carolina’s own Strathspan is back featuring Julia Weatherford on cello, Nora Garver on fiddle along with Cathleen Nixon on Scottish small pipes and fiddle, plus Jason Higgins on drums. Layered melodies and harmonies accompanied by pipe and fiddle bring soulful airs, elegant strathspeys, lively jigs and reels, plus occasional forays into Irish, Scandinavian, and Breton traditions.
Also returning is the Voices of Valverda trio. Homegrown in Appalachia and with a rich background of family musicians and singers, this all-female group has been singing together all their lives—yet only publicly for two years—and offers a wide range of traditional ballads, traditional Celtic songs, plus a spicing of joyful jigs.
Will MacMorran performs on stage for Friday night’s concert again this year. This multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, highly respected and seasoned recording engineer, music producer and educator from nearby Johnson City, TN, has performed solo as well as toured with some of the best bands anywhere, including a stint of ten years with Seven Nations.
Rounding out the weekend’s music lineup is Asheville’s Tune Shepherds trio featuring 17th and 18th Century Scottish music combining flute, fiddle, and guitar. The band includes flute player and maker Chris Abell, country dance fiddler Michael Garner, and Grammy-winning guitarist Bruce Nemerov.
Details at gmhg.org and piperjones.com/gmhg2025.
Voices of Valverda
Tune Shepherds
Amy Brown, CPA Certified Public Accountant
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Avery County Chamber of Commerce
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Creative Interiors by Darlene Parker 828.898.9636
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Highlanders Grill & Tavern
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Salon Suites at Tynecastle
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Shooz & Shiraz A Shoe & Wine Salon at The Dande Lion
Sky Mountain Nail Bar 828.783.9393
The Dande Lion Ladies Apparel, Shoes, & Accessories 866.222.2050 and 828.898.3566
Truist Financial 828-292-9219 / www.Truist.com
Valle de Bravo Mexican Grill valledebravomexicangrill.net 828.898.4949
It’s been 42 years since Todd Wright started playing jazz in the High Country, first as a graduate student at Appalachian State in 1982, with extended engagements dating back to 1985 as the Todd Wright Trio. “I recall going round and ‘beating the bushes’ to get a local gig because there wasn’t much jazz… it was slow but steady.” The trio appeared at Samuel’s Restaurant (now Los Arcoiris Mexican) which was considered fine dining, playing five nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday, “which was quite unusual for Boone in those days, and for practically anywhere even now. News anchor Garrick Utley came in one night to have dinner and enjoy the music, and I was scared to death!”
Wright has played most of the regional venues and in several house band situations: Louisiana Purchase in Banner Elk for nine years; the weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch in Blowing Rock for 27 years and through several name changes (Tumbleweed, Cottonwood, Canyons, and The Ridgeline); Jackalope’s View Restaurant at Archer’s Inn on Beech Mountain; Coltrane’s, the dining room area of the old Sheraton Hotel, now a dorm for App State; and, currently, Casa Rustica (22 years) with frequent collaborator Andy Page. These are in addition to “tons” of social and private events and concerts throughout the region, “far too many to estimate,” he said.
Since 1990, Wright has been Director of Jazz Studies at Appalachian State University and has taken his students on five European tours over that 35-year period. Wright has performed from Florida to Providence, RI, in Mexico 11 times, Brazil twice, and in France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Luxembourg. Wright has played for Bill Clinton and, on an earlier occasion, Al Gore, along with many of the great jazz legends.
Now in its 25th year, the High Country Jazz Society was formed in Blowing Rock in 2000 by Fred Germann and Barbara Young; Wright joined them a few years later and is the current President of the organization. Their season runs from May through October with concerts at the Appalachian Theatre on the second Sunday of each month, hosting local, regional, and internationally acclaimed artists with proceeds benefitting the App State Jazz Studies program.
“John Cooper gave me a tour of Appalachian Theatre during the early stages of the restoration effort, and I said it was the perfect space for a jazz festival, the perfect size.”
“Todd was one of the people I contacted before the renovation began,” said Cooper. “He had long been promoting music through the Jazz Society, independent gigs around the High Country, and by donating his time and talent to support non-profits. He was so impressed by the potential for the theatre, proclaiming that he had always wanted to have a jazz festival in Boone and the theatre would be the perfect place to hold one. Fast forward ten years and the inaugural High Country Jazz Festival (HCJF) was successfully launched in June of 2022. In addition, Todd
Todd Wright:
“The High Country’s Jazz Ambassador”
Jazz
Festival, Jazz Society, Jazz Studies Among His Accomplishments
By Keith Martin
agreed to join our Board of Trustees and continues to serve to this day.”
The first HCJF featured Delfeayo Marsalis, New Orleans Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and The New York Voices, with the Count Basie Orchestra and Emmett Cohen Trio in the second season. Last year, the Brubeck Brothers and Jazzmeia Horn headlined the HCJF. Other ancillary events, many free of charge, have been added at locations such as the Jones House. “It looks like it will only grow,” bragged Wright, while noting that the HCJF now has “regulars” who come from as far away as upstate New York to attend the Festival.
Wright proudly announced the lineup of artists who will appear during the fourth festival.
The HCJF opens on Friday, June 13 with Catherine Russell, the Grammy Award-winning vocalist best known for her stunning vocal approach and interpretive works in blues and early jazz. This native New Yorker was born into musical royalty; her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist, composer, bandleader, and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, the late Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist, guitarist, and bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Sy Oliver. After graduating with honors from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Catherine toured and recorded with Carrie Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, Toshi Reagon, and Rosanne Cash, among others, appearing on over 200 albums.
The Dizzy Gillespie Band, performing on Saturday, June 14, is the direct descendant of the impact of Dizzy Gillespie—and the tradition lives on, nurtured by Gillespie alumnus, executive director and producer, bassist John Lee. Together they continue to delight audiences around the world with the enduring power and freshness of Dizzy Gillespie’s music. This is the legacy the master would have wanted—and a living tribute from the many extraordinary musicians in this group who exemplify his style, range, and commitment.
The festival concludes on Sunday afternoon, June 15 when Noel Freidline and Maria Howell define chemistry. Musically they breathe as one, communicating almost telepathically as they explore and re-interpret some of the best music of the last 80 years. Always approaching the music from “the left,” Noel and Maria have made a name for themselves as they offer listeners something they have heard, but that they have never heard before. Combine this fresh musical approach with a rapport and witty banter that harkens back to a bygone era, and you have Noel and Maria in their element: on stage, thrilling an audience at every turn.
After 42 years as the “High Country’s Jazz Ambassador,” Wright says he’s far from done. “I’m still trying to saturate the area with good music.”
For information about the 2025 Festival, visit HighCountryJazzFestival.org.
The Dizzy Gillespie Band
Todd Wright
Spring Group Exhibition: Exploring Abstract Realms May 24 thru July 15 | Opening Reception May 24, 2-5pm
Mid-Summer Group Exhibition: Nature’s Palette / Landscapes Across Mediums July 26 thru September 15 | Opening Reception July 26, 2-5pm
Autumn Group Exhibition: Synchronization / Shared Artistic Pathways October 11 thru November 15 | Opening Reception October 11, 2-5pm
WINTER GROUP AND SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION: November 28 thru April 30
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE NOV 28 & 29, 10-5
William Ralph Winkler, III Patriot,
Performer, Producer, Pilot
By Trimella Chaney
Yes, this is the same humble fellow many local folks know as “Billy Ralph.” Recently inducted into the Watauga County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame, this native son’s significant contributions to Watauga County life are many. Truthfully, his life has been intertwined with the local history of the area for generations beginning with William Ralph Winkler I, who was a prominent area builder and businessman and who built the Appalachian Theatre as well as other structures in downtown Boone. After serving as the NC Commissioner of Highways, the Winkler Highway was dedicated to him.
Following the advice of his granddad, who said, “When you live in a community, you have to give something back,” William Winkler III (Billy Ralph) has done just that. He is an active member of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, the producing organization of HORN IN THE WEST TM outdoor drama. Beginning when he was 14 years old and tasked with setting up chairs and ushering for HORN IN THE WEST, he fell in love with the patriotic production and has continued to be a strong supporter of the show. Since that time, he has either volunteered or served on the staff in multiple positions such as Head Usher, Music Director, Producer, Assistant Manager, Guest Actor, Chorus Member, and Manager. Obviously he believes strongly in preserving local history. Once, he auditioned for Captain Mackenzie and didn’t get the role—that is about the only role he has not had in producing the show! His love of area history has been passed to his children (Ashley, Jessi and William Ralph IV), grandchildren and great-grandchild (Bre, William, Brody, Bowen, and Colton), who are each involved in some capacity with the outdoor theatre each summer.
As a child Billy Ralph remembers sitting on the front porch of his grandparents’
house in downtown Boone beside the Appalachian Theatre (the house sat on the current site of the Watauga County Veterans’ Memorial) and listening to a man play the most beautiful music (Doc Watson). His love of music began at that point. He enjoyed performing in many music groups both in high school and college. After graduating from Appalachian State University with a music education degree he became a well-loved band director in the area schools, consistently bringing home top ratings in band competitions. His students remember him not only for his outstanding teaching but for his genuine interest in them; he was named Watauga County Teacher of the Year in 1994. In addition, in 2005 he received the Award for Excellence from the Northwest North Carolina Bandmasters Association.
Over the years, Billy Ralph has performed with and conducted a number of community music ensembles, noting that he enjoyed playing in the pit orchestra for Blue Ridge Community Theatre. In 1986, he became a charter member of the Watauga Community Band (WCB) under the direction of Dr. Charles Isley. When Dr. Isley was ready to retire, he said to Billy Ralph, “You will be the director.” In recalling this, with his trademark easy laugh, Winkler says, “And I always did what Dr. Isley told me to do.”
Continuing to do as his mentor instructed, he remains the Community Band’s director, and invites anyone who is interested in playing with the WCB to meet at Watauga High School at 6:30 on Tuesday evenings. To honor his leadership, Billy Ralph was the first recipient of the Dr. Charles L. Isley Award presented by the Community Band, and was also recognized by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce with the Ben Suttle Special Services Award. One of his favorite aspects of the
WCB is the chance to direct his adult children in the band.
With his gentle, soft-spoken manner, he has served on many civic boards and organizations. His pure-hearted, big-picture perspective makes him highly valued in the organizations he serves. Billy Ralph’s resume is mind-boggling, including a run for NC State Legislature, two terms sitting on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, and serving on the Caldwell Community College Board.
He readily admits that he has trouble saying “no” when asked to be involved in civic service. However, at this point in his life he is working on placing some boundaries on his time. As a life-long member of First Baptist Church, he recently retired as Finance Officer, yet continues to serve as Choir Director and Audio-Visual Specialist. Billy Ralph’s musical gifts are widely known and valued but his heart for his hometown is cherished.
When asked about his hopes and dreams for his beloved Boone, he states, “I’ve tried to do my part to make it what it could be. I strongly believe a community can grow as it needs to be without destroying its heritage.”
He is happy to share that even though he is slowing down a bit and making more deliberate choices with his time, his health is good....so good that he continues to pass the health requirement for piloting his plane—he loves to “get in the air.”
He says that at this time his most important priority is spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them about their rich heritage in this wonderful place.
Truly, William Ralph Winkler III has heeded the advice from his grandfather, and both the current and future citizens of Watauga County are the beneficiaries of his civic passion. Congratulations to this inspiring man—Billy Ralph—on his most recent, and well-deserved “Hall of Fame” honor.
Billy Ralph Winkler welcomes the crowd at a HORN IN THE WEST performance, photo courtesy of SAHA
PHOTO BY TODD
Book Nook
By CML Staff
This season, we encourage you to support our local authors, publishers, booksellers, libraries and book exchanges!
New E-Book Release of “Asheville: A History”
Back in 2007, author Nan K. Chase released her well received regional non-fiction book, Asheville: A History, published by McFarland & Company (Jefferson, NC). The synopsis reads: “Asheville, North Carolina, grew from humble beginnings as a hamlet for local livestock handlers to become one of the most culturally and artistically diverse cities in the South. The city experienced a quick rise to prosperity in the late 19th century under the influence of wealthy benefactors including George W. Vanderbilt and E.W. Grove.
“A devastating downturn during the Great Depression was followed by slow economic revitalization up until the late 1970s. In the 1990s, however Asheville entered boom time, a period that reestablished the city as a popular retreat for tourists, artists, and retirees.”
The book includes a rich array of photographs. Multiple appendices reveal details concerning many lesser-known aspects of Asheville’s unique history, including city buildings designed by architects Richard Sharp Smith and Douglas D. Ellington, and city projects funded by philanthropist Julian Price.
At the time, the book received numerous “5-star” reviews, including one from CML Magazine noting the book was “addictive, fascinating, solidly researched, comprehensible, organized, and very, very difficult to leave behind before you’ve finished it.” On the occasion of the ebook release earlier this year, we followed up with Chase on her latest literary achievement.
Your comprehensive book Asheville: A History was published in 2007. Why was there such a delay in publishing an e-book version?
Chase: The e-book version just fell through the cracks. E-book readers really took off about 2006, so this oversight was understandable. I’m thrilled that the publisher and I were back in touch recently when I was pitching another book, and they instantly got the ball rolling for the re-issue.
Why is this book so relevant just now?
Chase: Because history sometimes repeats itself, whether we like it or not. When I began re-reading my book in late 2024 after the Hurricane Helene floods, it hit me like a lightning bolt. Asheville and the surrounding region had been hard hit by the flooding. Some of the wording about Asheville’s notorious 1916 flood could have been lifted verbatim to describe the most recent disaster.
For instance, here’s a description of how that earlier flood unfolded and what the damage looked like in the city: “…during the summer of 1916 it happened that two hurricanes in a row hundreds of miles away, pushed monstrous rains over the mountains…rains began locally and didn’t stop for three days; then, just as the French Broad River was receding from its crest, another deluge began on July 15 and persisted
for twenty-four hours. The saturated ground couldn’t hold, and shortly before dawn on Sunday, July 16, the Swannanoa River jumped its banks at Biltmore Village, and soon the French Broad, too overflowed.
“By Monday morning the Asheville Citizen was relating the devastation in detail; the presses had to be powered by gasoline generators instead of the usual electricity, since the city’s infrastructure had vanished in the night.” Newspaper accounts of that time could just as well have described the scenes of 2024: “Asheville today is absolutely isolated from the outside world, a city of darkness, void of ordinary transportation facilities….Owing to the complete destruction of the gas plant and partial destruction of the power plants, manufacturing interests are crippled. Practically all telegraph and electric light poles supplying current to commercial points along the river have been washed away or the wires so badly tangled that they are worse than useless.”
Other similarities between 1916 and 2024: “Damage in the countryside was severe and long-lasting. Dams had burst upstream, and then bridges below were torn apart by the force of the water-borne debris that followed. Railroad tracks through the region were destroyed. . .”
In researching Asheville history, I read that the French Broad River often flooded, and that there were significant events recorded in 1852 and 1791.
Where can CML Readers find your timely, reissued E-book?
Chase: Asheville: A History is available online from McFarland & Company (mcfarlandbooks.com), Malaprop’s (malaprops.com), Barnes & Noble (barnesandnoble.com), amazon.com, and other outlets.
Nan K. Chase is a frequent contributor to CML; she is also the author of Lost Restaurants of Asheville and other books. A former resident of Asheville, where she served on the Historic Resources Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County, she currently lives in southwest Virginia.
Two New Children’s Books by Local Author
Children’s book author Jennifer Owen recently published two titles, including Prince Kindness and Tree of Beautiful Wings. “I write books with messages about how we should treat one another with kindness and respect, honoring everyone’s abilities and differences.” Both books are beautifully illustrated and ideal for early readers.
Owen grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and graduated from Lees-McRae College with a BA in Psychology and an MA in Child Development with a concentration in Administration and Special Needs from Erikson Institute. You can find her books on Amazon and at the publisher’s website, redhawkpublications.com. A limited number of copies are also available at the Banner Elk Book Exchange in Banner Elk (bannerelkbookexchange.com).
Avery County’s Dining Catering
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DINING | CATERING LODGING | EVENT VENUE
Lodging Event Venue
The High Country’s Best Vacation Rentals
• One main lodge and three cabins with mountain views
• 1-4 bedrooms available
• Event barn, outdoor pavilion, open field, meandering streams, and ponds all onsite
• Located in the heart of Sugar and Beech Mountains, with proximity to all High Country attractions
The Blue Ridge Mountains contain some of the world’s oldest rock formations—Grandfather Mountain alone has 1.1 billion years of geologic history. Throughout the years, the mountain has weathered storms and slowly eroded. Even so, some iconic rock features have withstood the test of time, now recognizable as the “faces” and profiles of Grandfather.
Grandfather’s Ground View
The late Hugh Morton, founder of the nature park, always said there was no official mountain profile, but the most recognizable view associated with “Grandfather” can be seen from the community of Foscoe, about seven miles north of Linville.
Before it was called Grandfather, the Cherokee who lived near the mountain named it “Tanawha,” meaning “a fabulous hawk or eagle.” This is still a popular interpretation.
Many years later, pioneers interpreted the same profile as the face of a man looking up. The contours of the rock seemed to mimic the features that come with age, so they called the mountain “Grandfather.” Not only did the name reflect the physical appearance of the mountain, but it also invoked a sense of wisdom, timelessness and connection to its ancient past.
Grandfather Profile
Just over two and a half miles into the Profile Trail, a Grandfather Mountain State Park trail, hikers will come across the famous “Grandfather Profile.” This rock formation can also be perceived as the face of an elderly man, but it is positioned vertically and left-facing.
Many claim that Grandfather Mountain was named for Grandfather Profile, including early mountain writer Shepherd M. Dugger, who called the profile “The Great Stone Face of the Grandfather.”
“You now see the genuine old man of the mountains,” Dugger wrote in his 1907 publication “The Balsam Groves of Grandfather Mountain.” “When that is silvered with frost or blanched with snow, it has the appearance of great age, and hence the pioneers called it ‘Grandfather’ and the mountain of which it is a part of ‘Grandfather Mountain.’”
It is debated which historic view inspired the mountain’s name, but that mystery contributes to the mountain’s natural wonder.
“The varying interpretation of profiles at Grandfather Mountain is a beautiful thing because it shows that the sense of imagination that pioneers expressed hundreds of years ago remains today,” said Lauren Farrell, interpretation and education programs manager for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We encourage everyone who visits the mountain to make their own interpretation of the profile, and even to scope out other rock formations to imagine new profiles.”
Grandfather Profile
Grandfather’s Ground View
...notes from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com All photos courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Under the Bridge
At the top of the mountain, another profile can be found hiding under the Mile High Swinging Bridge on the Top Shop side of the Bridge Trail. Like Grandfather Profile, this hidden gem resembles a man’s vertical profile.
This lesser-known profile is named “Be Still and Know,” as it was dedicated through the organization’s Boulder Club by the late Jim Morton in honor of Kelly McGowan.
American Mountain Ash, a common tree of the high elevations of Grandfather Mountain, is found nearby this boulder. The tree produces an abundance of red berries for wildlife in the fall.
Grandfather Mountain is a treasure trove of natural artistry, where ancient rocks have been sculpted by time and the elements into fascinating faces and profiles. As you explore the mountain, you are invited to share your own interpretations of these natural profiles as they greet you. After all, imagination is what named our mountain.
Learn about one more distinct “face” on the mountain at www.grandfather.com/profiles.
Make Plans for a Spring Visit!
Along with the greening of the mountain and the first wildflowers starting to appear, Grandfather’s programming ramps up in spring and offers guests so many unique options for experiencing the mountain.
The park’s robust Daily Programs schedule is in full swing! Plan your visit in advance and make sure to take advantage of one of these special interpretive offerings, included in park admission. Learn more at www.grandfather.com/daily-programs.
Under the Bridge, or “Be Still and Know”
Grandfather Mountain
Photo by Skip Sickler, courtesy of GMSF
Grandfather Mountain
Photo by Skip Sickler, courtesy of GMSF
At 4,000 feet, the possibilities are endless. From hands-on learning in natural laboratories to outdoor recreation in world-class destinations, our adventures never stop.
People for Pollinators
By Tamara S. Randolph
“There are steps we can all take to make our garden, neighborhood, or hometown better for bees.” - Bee City USA ®
If you love bees and follow the buzz, you’ve likely heard of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and their Bee City USA® initiative. Bee City USA works to create a nationwide network of communities that are dedicated to protecting pollinators, with a focus on supporting species that are native in the local area.
Bees are central to our lives—they and other pollinators sustain our environment and food supply; in fact, they’re responsible for the reproduction of almost 90 percent of the world’s flowering plant species! But ongoing research continues to reveal evidence showing a decline in pollinator populations due to a combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides, parasites, diseases, and climate change.
That is why the Bee City USA and its sister initiative—Bee Campus USA® —are so important this day and age. Here in the High Country, we applaud the Town of Boone and Appalachian State University for investing the time and resources to become official Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA affiliates.
Becoming a Bee City/Bee Campus
Boone has been a designated Bee City since 2019. To earn the “Bee City USA” distinction, communities must make a commitment to create pollinator-friendly habitat, reduce pesticide use, and educate the public. To start the process, the Town of Boone had to form a Bee City committee and appoint a designated representative. In addition, a Bee City Resolution had to be passed by the Town Council, declaring that the Town of Boone would:
n Observe National Pollinators Week (always the third week of June);
n Host at least one educational event or pollinator habitat planting/ restoration event each year to showcase the Town’s commitment to raising awareness of pollinator conservation and expanding pollinator health and habitat;
n Install and maintain at least one authorized Bee City USA street sign in a prominent location;
n Develop and implement programs to create or expand pollinator-friendly habitat on public and private land;
n Create and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) plan designed to prevent pest problems and reduce pesticide use.
The Town’s efforts toward maintaining this designation reflect their belief in “the benefits to local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local growers.” In other words, being bee-friendly can have a positive economic impact for a community.
In one example of adhering to the Town’s Bee City resolution, students from the Upward Bound program planted 40 pollinator-friendly
plants on the Jones House Cultural Center’s lawn. In another example, the Town, for several years straight, instituted a “No Mow May” campaign to allow flowers to grow wild. “The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees and other pollinators,” the campaign stated. “Floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes.”
Boone has avoided mowing town properties during the month of May, while also encouraging property owners to forgo the mower and promote habitat growth for our pollinators. In addition, Boone has made efforts to avoid spraying pesticides near waterways, unless under dire circumstances, and to use any necessary pesticides during nonpeak hours to ensure no contamination of people or animals.
In 2018, Appalachian State was awarded the title of Bee Campus USA through a similar application and resolution process. According to their Bee Campus web page, “This certification assures that it is important to our students, staff, and faculty to provide safe habitats for pollinators and education about the pivotal role they play in ecosystems.”
The university’s commitment has been put into action all over campus, with pollinator-friendly plants present in many locations. As a component of their outreach efforts, App State has compiled a comprehensive list of plants native to our region—many of which are growing on campus—and has made the list available to the public at sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/bee-campus-usa/campus-pollinators/
Create Your Own Pollinator Paradise
Spring is the best time for homeowners to think about transforming or expanding your landscape to include pollinator-friendly habitats. Start by adding mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees that bloom in succession throughout the growing season. This ensures a diverse and abundant supply of nectar and pollen. Next, make sure your yard is free, or nearly free of pesticides; research Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for a long-term approach to maintaining a healthy landscape (See “Resource Circle” on page 73). Finally, include some “undisturbed spaces” in your yard year-round. Leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins, fallen trees—all of these create safe havens for pollinators to feed, nest and overwinter.
In addition to focusing on your own landscape, encourage your town or municipality to make a commitment on a larger scale, as has the Town of Boone. Any incorporated city or town as well as unincorporated counties can become certified affiliates of Bee City USA. Take a stand for pollinators by learning more at beecityusa.org and xerces.org.
“There are more than 3,600 species of native bees in the U.S.”
Songs of Spring
By Paul Laurent
BIRDING
Spring comes late here at the higher elevations, and the thick, verdant canopy of our mountain forests has yet to fully emerge. This gives the small plants on the forest floor a brief window of time to get enough sunlight to bloom. Trillium blankets the ground with a mix of red and white flowers. A cacophony of bird song bubbles across the mountainside above the gurgle of a mountain creek. Closer examination of the clear water reveals little heads with googly eyes peering out from under flat rocks in the water—black-bellied salamanders are abundant, along with several smaller species. We are fortunate to live in the place with the highest salamander diversity and density on the planet; and it’s easy to get sidetracked on a day like this. I pry myself away from the creek to continue down the trail.
A piercing call erupts from a rhododendron thicket ahead of me. “I want to rent a video!” is the human description of the song (the mnemonic device was made back when Blockbuster was still a thing…). It’s the breeding call of a Hooded Warbler, a little yellow bird with a black hood surrounding his face; two bright white bars stand out on the sides of his tail when he flicks it. They are abundant in these mountains, but normally skulk deep in rhododendron thickets. The males emerge only to sing in the spring breeding season. This particular male is perched in a patch of sunlight about twenty feet off the ground on a broken lower branch of an old Eastern hemlock tree.
This ancient tree died decades ago, likely from a pest known as the hemlock woolly adelgid combined with acid rain, a killer of countless other trees in our mountains. Luckily, the NC Legislature passed the Clean Smokestacks Act in 2002, and that led the way for federal air pollution legislation that reduced toxic power plant emissions—and thus acid rain—resulting in a remarkable comeback for our mountain forests. Now the old
dead trees stand as silent sentinels, reminding us of what could happen again if we aren’t careful. It also serves to give this little warbler a nice exposed branch to proclaim his territory against all challengers.
Easy Listening
The trees around me are filled with other songs. I hear the buzzy three-note rasp of a Black-throated Blue Warbler, the higher “zee zee zee zo zee” of a Black-throated Green Warbler, and the metallically melodic song of a Hermit Thrush. It’s a lot of work for a male bird to attract a mate each spring. His song must be perfect, his plumage must shine just right in the sunlight, and his territory must have the right balance of cover, food, and water.
Some of the birds I’m hearing are likely still migrating north to breeding grounds in Canada, but the males have to start practicing on the way—like any professional singer, a good warmup is essential! The Hooded Warbler may stick around for the summer, as I’ve seen him on that same branch before.
I take a moment to enjoy this beautiful bird. While he will be here until fall, in a few more weeks he will mostly stop singing. Once he has a mate and his territory is defined he will drop low into the thickets for most of the summer. His yellow and black plumage blends in remarkably well with the shadows and fallen leaves of the understory.
Another song pierces the stillness, coming from a bit farther up the hill. “Tea-cher, Tea-cher, TEA-cher” is not the wailing of a small child, but rather the song of an Ovenbird. I spot him in a low bush near a fallen log. He has a brown back and a white underside with bold, dark streaking and boasts a bright orange crown with black edges atop his head. While they are warblers,
Ovenbird by Rhododendrites,CC BY-SA 4.0
they look more like thrushes or Brown Thrashers. If you spend most of your time on or near the forest floor, having a brown back with light undersides marked with dark streaking makes for excellent camouflage. The light underside with dark streaks breaks up the silhouette, while the brown back blends in perfectly with the dead leaves on the forest floor.
I can hear the songs of at least a dozen other species of warblers as I meander across the mountain. This magical time when the birds are displaying and the leaves haven’t finished emerging yet is one of the best times to be a birder in the mountains.
Nesting Time
A few weeks later, I’m back on the same trail; it looks completely different since I last visited. The canopy has filled in, the trillium blooms are gone, and everything is awash in shades of green. I search for the Hooded Warbler, but while I occasionally hear a shortened version of his song, I can’t catch more than a glimpse of him in the thickets.
He’s likely already found a mate and made a nest closer to the edge of the forest. There is a small meadow nearby, and the dense bushes that grow along the border of these habitats provide excellent shelter for their nest. His mate will make the nest, while he is busy fending off potential rivals for their territory. She’s also yellow, but with just a smudge of the black hood her mate wears. The nest is small, situated deep in a thicket and close to the ground. It’s made of woven bark and grasses with dead leaves cupped around the bottom, so that from below, it looks like a clump of dead leaves, rather than a meal to potential predators. Her eggs are less than two centimeters long, and she will lay two to five eggs in her nest.
Once the nest is built and eggs are being laid the pair become incredibly secretive. The slightest exposure could lead a predator back to the nest and the helpless eggs or babies. Both parents will bring food back to their young, but only when they are sure no hungry eyes are watching them. Some birds that nest higher in the trees will even flutter-fall, rather than fly from their nests. This makes them look like a falling leaf, rather than a bird. They will straighten out and fly only when they are just a foot or so from the ground.
The Ovenbird I found last time is nowhere to be seen. Ovenbirds get their name from the remarkable nests that they build. The female, which looks just like the male, clears a small circular patch on the forest floor. She will find a spot with thick leaf litter near a fallen log or some other disturbance to help the nest blend in. She then weaves a dome-shaped nest about five inches tall and nine inches across, covered with dead leaves with a small opening on one side. The nest resembles an outdoor bread oven, which is how these birds got their peculiar name. An Ovenbird nest is so well camouflaged that I have never once found one in all of my wanderings in these mountains.
All of these amazing birds will spend the summer raising their young. Many will have multiple clutches through the season. In the fall the survivors will embark on an incredible migration to tropical lands the young have never before seen.
Paul Laurent has been a birder and nature lover for as long as he can remember. He is the Naturalist for Valle Crucis Community Park, and owns and operates a small birding tour company called Epic Nature Tours. He also leads tours for Ventures Birding.
Female Hooded Warbler on nest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Male Hooded Warbler by Magnus Manske, CC BY-SA 4.0
Healthier Landscapes
Tips and Takeaways
By Tamara S. Randolph
The bottle promises a lush, green, pest-free, weed-free lawn. But how does the product you’re holding in your hand work, and what are the true costs and benefits? Do you really need it at all? The goal of this installment of Resource Circle is to encourage a greater understanding of your landscape as a whole, to help you explore your options for making it healthier, and to create awareness of some local horticultural and agricultural experts who are just a phone call away.
Defining a “Healthy” Landscape
Traditional southeastern U.S. landscapes often include vast tracts of green grass. Yet lawns are actually one of the most unnatural environments in our region. To have a truly healthy landscape, we need to create ecological balance.
What makes a landscape natural and balanced? You don’t have to get rid of the lawn. But you do want to add a variety of plants throughout your landscape, especially natives. Having many different kinds of plants provides for the needs of more organisms—and these organisms work in concert to create greater balance. For example, when native insect predators (like common lacewings) feel at home in your landscape, they’re more likely to control pest species (such as aphids) naturally.
It’s also important to put each plant in its ideal location—all plants need the right soil, amount of water and sun exposure. Good conditions lead to better plant performance, and that leads to a decrease in susceptibility to pests and stress.
Key Takeaways: Diversity makes for healthier ecosystems in your landscape. Avoiding plant stressors—too much sun, not enough water, poor soil, excessive chemicals and fertilizer—leads to healthier plants with fewer risks.
Identify the Problem
A pest can be “any animal, plant, or other organism whose biology, behavior, or location places it in direct conflict with humans.”* In other words, pests are defined by human perceptions.
“Maybe we think something bad is happening to a plant because insects appear to be eating it,” says Amanda Bratcher, Horticulture Agent for the NC Cooperative Extension-Lee County Center. “Many people immediately think there’s a problem, yet in many cases the plant would be just fine.”
Estimates show that only about one percent of insects are considered crop or landscape pests. Those genuine pests often arrive when we plant the same thing over and over, or have a lot of land devoted to the same plant. The pest has all the food it needs in one place, with few, if any natural predators present in the unbalanced ecosystem.
Before applying any kind of strategy that includes chemicals, it’s important to properly identify if there’s really a problem. You’ll need to have a clear understanding of the environmental conditions where your plants are growing, “then look for the signs of pests and
pathogens, honing in on the exact areas in the landscape where the issue is occurring, and when it’s occurring,” Bratcher adds.
Key Takeaways: Rethink common perceptions when it comes to “pests.” Observe your landscape closely, over time; call your local Extension agent to discuss diagnoses before applying chemical control.
A Careful Approach with Chemicals
When questions and answers lead to the need for chemical control, your Extension agent can help you choose the right one, as well as determine the right timing—this is especially important, as you may accidentally kill non-targeted organisms, often bees and other beneficial pollinators. “We are still learning about how pesticides, not just insecticides but fungicides and herbicides, make it back to pollinator nests and how they impact survivability of insects,” notes Bratcher. “We know that they’re negatively impacting pollinators . . . and also aquatic animals.”
While chemical control is still part of many Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, for it to be effective, “You need to use different types of chemicals because plants and insects can become resistant to them.” She also stresses that temperatures are part of the timing: “Any pesticide, whether it’s an insecticide, a fungicide or an herbicide, can kill plants at the wrong temperature.”
One of the best things you can do as a landowner is to thoroughly study the label of any chemical you’re considering using on your property. The expanded label tells where the product can be used, what pests are targeted, and how to safely apply the product at the right time, temperature, rate and frequency. Some labels will also specify application restrictions that reduce risks to bees and other insect pollinators.
Key Takeaways: Choose the right chemical and know your target; your Extension agent can help. Read the product label in its entirety, research ingredients, and adhere closely to the instructions.
Call the Experts
Your local Extension agent is your best resource for creating a longterm IPM strategy for your landscape. “We are here to help you make sure you keep the environment safe, each other safe, our pollinators safe,” says Bratcher. “Because pesticides are only one tool in the IPM toolbox, and not the only tool.”
• NC Cooperative Extension High Country Offices: Avery County 828-733-8270; Watauga County 828-264-3061; Ashe County 336-846-5850
• The NC Cooperative Extension has offices in all 100 North Carolina counties. Find your center at ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center/.
In Virginia, visit ext.vt.edu/offices.html, and in Tennessee, visit utextension.tennessee.edu/ office-locations-departments-centers/. *Purdue University Extension (extension.purdue.edu)
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News
A Hurricane Helene-triggered landslide caused a complete collapse of the roadbed at Gooch GapMilepost 336 on the Blue Ridge Parkway,
Blue Ridge Parkway
Recovery & Renewal on the Blue Ridge Parkway By
Rita Larkin
The Blue Ridge Parkway is marking 90 years since construction started on the scenic route at Cumberland Knob. In this anniversary year, the national park unit is a very different journey. After severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene, several stretches of the road remain closed as crews repair landslides and other compromises to the road.
While the Virginia section is open, a section through the High Country of North Carolina will need significant repairs that could last into the fall and later. Near Boone and Blowing Rock, most sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are open (unless otherwise marked), including Moses Cone Estate, Price Park, Rough Ridge Trail, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Beacon Heights, with options for hiking*, scenic overlooks, and attractions like Grandfather Mountain.
According to the National Park Service, “The highest concentration of overall damage occurred from the Linville Falls area near milepost 317 south to Mount Mitchell State Park near milepost 349. Along with the destruction of park facilities near Linville Falls, including the visitor center, picnic area comfort station, and portions of the campground, park teams have documented over four dozen landslides and other stormrelated natural and cultural resource damage in those 38 miles of Parkway alone.” The roof of the carriage barn at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park also sustained damage. Since the hurricane, crews have worked to clear thousands of trees, assess the safety of the road, and address damage. Additional projects that were underway before the storm will continue, including the paving project near Doughton Park funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.
Although the journey will be different, there are still wonderful experiences on tap this season. The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park is slated to reopen later this spring and host Appalachian foodways programs, as well as free Milepost Music performances the second and fourth Sundays beginning in June. To learn more, visit BluffsRestaurant.org and BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org /milepost/
The Blue Ride Music Center on the Parkway just outside Galax, VA, announced a slate of stellar headliners in its annual summer concert series, beginning on May 17, including Steep Canyon Rangers, Amythyst Kiah, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Del McCoury Band, Jeff Little Trio, Wonder Women of Country, among many more. The shows are hosted Saturday evenings in the outdoor amphitheater at the foot of beautiful Fisher Peak. The venue’s Roots of American Music Museum just earned a spot in USA Today’s 10Best Poll. For more information, visit BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org.
There is more good news! Soon, the loop trail around Bass Lake in Blowing Rock will feature a more accessible walkway for visitors at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park thanks to donor support for the enhancements at this popular walking spot. The project is just one of the many ways to create better Parkway experiences for everyone. To learn more, visit BRPFoundation.org.
*Note: Trails along open sections of the parkway may be legally accessible (with the exception of storm or construction closures); however, access is at your own risk post-Helene.
The Denim Ball
Start planning your denim ensemble for The Denim Ball on Tuesday, September 25, at Camp Yonahnoka at the Linville Golf Club. More details about this annual event to benefit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park are coming soon at BRPFoundation.org
Where can you go?
To see a list of Parkway road closures, project updates, and photographs, scan the QR code or visit www.nps.gov/blri
Fallen vegetation on the Blue Ridge Parkway on October 20, 2024, following Hurricane Helene,
NPS
Photo by Gail Greco
photo by NPS
photo by
The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park, photo by NPS
GEAR UP AND GET OUTSIDE
SPRING 2025 TRAIL REPORTS
Celebrating Damascus, VA: Appalachian Trail Days Festival
The Appalachian Trail Days Festival—being held this year May 1618—is the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture. Damascus, Virginia, is known by many as “Trail Town USA” because of the renowned trails that intersect within town limits, including the Virginia Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail (AT), Iron Mountain Trail, Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail / Route 76, TransVirginia Bike Route, and The Crooked Road.
In honor of the AT, the town of Damascus celebrates every spring with an estimated 25,000 people attending the festival. You can expect a grand reunion of thru-hikers past and present, over a hundred vendors of handmade goods and some of the best outdoor gear in the industry, a packed schedule of live music and events, and a large crowd of trail supporters and hiking enthusiasts. Trail Days is free to attend, with a fee for overnight camping at Tent City.
Note that Damascus and surrounding areas are still recovering from Helene. To help festival attendees plan their visit, here we provide some “Damascus Recovery” updates as of early April, including updates on the Virginia Creeper Trail:
n HWY 91, Damascus to Mountain City is OPEN
n Appalachian Trail, VA/TN line to Elk Garden is OPEN
n US-58, Damascus to Whitetop is closed; estimated completion is Nov. 2025
n VDOT Bridge on Orchard Hill Road is closed; project expected to begin this spring
n Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus to Abingdon is OPEN
n Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus to Whitetop Station in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is closed; U.S. Forest Service restoration timeline pending
n “Trails to Recovery” (a local nonprofit) residential repairs/ rebuilds ongoing; learn more at trailstorecovery.com
As noted above, parts of the Virginia Creeper Trail remain closed. Variable levels of damage occurred, including landslides and slope failures—portions of the trail are gone and access is limited and dangerous in areas. Thirty-one trestles were either damaged or destroyed. The U.S. Forest Service has been working with local government and the public on restoration assessment and a reconstruction plan, which has been approved. The project will be ongoing for the foreseeable future. Learn more about the Appalachian Trail Days Festival at visitdamascus.org/traildays/. Find comprehensive updates on the town of Damascus and the Virginia Creeper Trail at damascus.org/hurricane-helene/.
“Due to an incredible outpouring of community support, nearly all local businesses have reopened and are eager to welcome you back to town. We are resilient. We are rebuilding. We are OPEN.”
–Town of Damascus
Get to Know Carolina Mountain Club
Do you or someone you know have a passion for hiking AND maintaining public trails? Western North Carolina is home to some of the best known segments of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Appalachian Trail, among many others. And there’s an organization that is devoted to making sure these trails are cared for and navigable for hikers.
The Carolina Mountain Club is the oldest and largest hiking and trail maintenance organization in the Southeastern U.S. As a memberrun volunteer organization, they “embody the spirit of community and shared passion for the outdoors, welcoming everyone who wishes to participate in its activities.”
Leading over 200 hikes per year, the club maintains more than 400 miles of trails in Western North Carolina, including 94 miles of the Appalachian Trail and 150 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Established in 1923, the club is committed to the preservation and enjoyment of the region’s natural landscapes—they offer a variety of hiking experiences suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned adventurers. You can learn more and find volunteer opportunities at carolinamountainclub.org
NC Trail Days Festival Returns!
The 6th Annual NC Trail Days Festival takes place June 5-8 in Elkin and Jonesville, NC. The two distinct trail towns are a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled between two state parks and separated only by the Yadkin River. Spend the weekend experiencing both towns and enjoy a range of hiking options, river excursions, outdoor exhibitors, live music, art and more.
The festival’s schedule of events includes specialty hikes to waterfalls, abandoned distilleries, and local wineries; the Yadkin River Trail Run 5k/10k; art and history walks through downtown Elkin; and guided local hikes on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Overmountain Victory Trail, and at Stone Mountain State Park. Daily paddling events take place on the Yadkin River, along with a downtown block party, live music in the evenings and much more.
Continued on next page
TRAIL REPORTS
Carolina Mountain Club maintaining trails throughout WNC
TRAIL REPORTS
This annual festival coincides with National Trails Day, which always takes place the first Saturday in June. National Trails Day was established to recognize the incredible benefits federal, state and local trails provide for recreation and exposure to nature. For more details about the festival, including lodging options in and around Elkin, visit ExploreElkin.com and NCTrailDays.com
Happenings at the Middle Fork Greenway
The Middle Fork Greenway (MFG) is a seven-mile, multi-use, recreational trail in progress from Blowing Rock to Boone, providing residents and visitors of all ages safe and healthy access to the natural world while protecting the environment and strengthening the local economy. Middle Fork Greenway is a Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) project in partnership with Watauga County, the Town of Boone, the Town of Blowing Rock, Tourism Development Authorities and many federal, state and community partners.
After more than six years of planning and permitting requirements, the MFG recently received the underpass connection it needed at Tweetsie Railroad to connect two miles of greenway trail. BRC led the team to achieve this milestone, which required a wide range of skill sets and funding sources. The team recognizes “the invaluable contributions of our partners: NCDOT, Watauga Tourism Development Authority, Interface Environmental Consulting, Solid Rock Engineering, New River Engineering, Watauga County Planning, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, Arete Engineering, and our community partners who never gave up through all the Round Ups and fundraisers to make this happen.”
One community partner, Blowing Rock Brewing Co., helped raise money for the MFG by selling its special “Greenway IPA,” and also selling dog treats made from the spent grain from their brewing process. Coming soon in July, look for a variety of local businesses to participate in MFG’s “Round Up” program, in which customers round up to the nearest dollar; all contributions at participating businesses will go toward the Middle Fork Greenway project.
In other MFG news, students and volunteers have been busy along the Middle Fork’s stream banks planting native perennials, including swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, blue flag iris, swamp hibiscus, and others. They also learned about live-staking and using natural materials to restore banks and improve water quality, create habitat, and enhance the Greenway.
Finally, FEMA inspections continue to take place this spring along the Middle Fork Greenway corridor. “We are hopeful funding will come through to repair stream and greenway damage from hurricane Helene.” Keep up with all the happenings on the Middle Fork Greenway at facebook.com/middleforkgreenway/
Paddy Mountain Park Opens in Ashe County
Paddy Mountain Park in West Jefferson has officially opened to the public and features three miles of sustainable hiking trails as well as parking, a timber frame pavilion, picnic tables, benches and restrooms. Paddy Mountain Park will serve as a trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST), which will connect West Jefferson/Jefferson to Boone across the Northern Peaks (also known as the Amphibolite Mountains).
“If you came up with a dream conservation story, Paddy Mountain would be it,” said Jordan Sellers, Northern Peaks State Trail Coordinator with the Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC). “Ecological, scenic, and recreational value all rolled into one project. The acquisition of the property was the result of an adventurous seven-year pursuit by BRC and culminated with the inspiring, community-wide effort to purchase and protect the property forever and for everyone,” said Sellers. “The groundbreaking of the trails came quickly, which was possible due to the highly collaborative nature of the folks in West Jefferson and Ashe County and the support of the North Carolina legislators.”
BRC celebrated the groundbreaking of Paddy Mountain Park on August 4, 2023, and the project was completed in just over a year. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Brantley Price and the Town of West Jefferson, Ashe County, MBI Builders, Interface Environmental Consulting, LLC, and Nature Trails, LLC for their tireless efforts and outstanding work. We are also grateful to the numerous volunteers who helped us clear the trails after Hurricane Helene.”
The organization and its partners recently recognized The Rotary Club of Ashe County for generously funding signage at Paddy Mountain Park, including a bilingual trail map with safety rules and emergency contacts, and a sign with information about Paddy Mountain and the Amphibolite mountains. Wayfinding signage along the trail will be installed in the near future.
“Quality signage is an important asset to this project, as we aim to promote safe and responsible usage of the trails while educating users about the beauty of the Amphibolite Mountains,” said Sellers.
In related news, BRC completed the purchase of an additional 32 acres on the northern slope of Mount Jefferson that will be added to
Middle Fork Greenway underpass at Tweetsie Railroad, courtesy of MFG
Paddy Mountain Park in Ashe County
the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. This land, along with an adjoining 36 acres, will provide the critical link between Paddy Mountain and Mount Jefferson for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). The property was purchased from Jefferson resident Sandra Barrett and her family. “The descendants of the Fred Colvard family are continuing his legacy of sustaining the natural beauty of Mount Jefferson State Natural Area,” Barrett said. Colvard, a lifelong Jefferson resident, farmer, and decorated World War I veteran, was a leader in the group of citizens who originally provided land and pursued state park status for Mount Jefferson.
“BRC appreciates the Fred Colvard heirs’ commitment to land conservation on Mount Jefferson,” says Eric Hiegl, Director of Land Protection and Stewardship. “This project continues the family legacy at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.” blueridgeconservancy.org
Check Out EcoExplore
An initiative of The NC Arboretum, ecoEXPLORE (ecoexplore.net) is a great way to explore nature and submit wildlife observations that are especially helpful for scientists. The incentive-based community science program was developed by The North Carolina Arboretum for children in grades K-8. After signing up online, participants go outside to designated ecoEXPLORE HotSpots, many along walking trails, to find wildlife species, including plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds.
Ten hotspots are located in northwest North Carolina: Elk Knob State Park, Falls Trail and Buckeye Lake at the Buckeye Recreation Center on Beech Mountain, Watauga River and Valle Crucis Park Wetlands in Valle Crucis, Watauga Public Library and Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone, Tate-Evans Park and Greenway in Banner Elk, Grandfather Mountain State Park, and Avery Morrison Library in Newland. The Newland HotSpot is also an ecoEXPLORE LoanSpot where participants can check out backpacks with nature-viewing equipment for free.
Phone apps like eBird, iNaturalist and SEEDN allow you to take photos of flora and fauna that are verified and made accessible to all related agencies.
Note that some hotspot locations may be “under construction” as repairs continue to be made to areas near rivers, streams and other tributaries of our main High Country waterways. –contributed by Karen Rieley
Discover a New Trail in Burke County
A Ribbon Cutting was held earlier this year for a new 1.3-mile hiking trail in Connelly Springs, NC, named after local Bob Benner.
The Bob Benner Memorial Trail is approximately 2.6 miles roundtrip, with a 500-foot elevation change from the parking area to the highest point. Enjoy a lovely long-range view into the heart of the South Mountains at the end of the trail.
Benner was a trailblazer for outdoor recreation and conservation. He was a founding board member of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) and a recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. He helped build and maintain 70 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and “his passion for the outdoors inspired the protection of natural places, like this new trail.”
This year, the Foothills Conservancy celebrates 30 years protecting the foothills and Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Since 1995, they’ve protected over 71,500 acres, “Forever and For the Benefit of All.” foothillsconservancy.org; trailhead located at 5193 Old NC 18, Connelly Springs, NC
Appalachian Outdoorosity Podcast
Appalachian State University presents “Appalachian Outdoorosity,” a podcast where you’ll hear stories that entertain, inspire and inform you about living an active outdoor lifestyle. Each episode features a story with the goal to get you outside and keep you going outside to improve your overall wellness. Outdoorosity is presented by the Appalachian State University’s Healthy Outdoor Play & Exercise (HOPE) Lab “where our purpose is to investigate the role of outdoor physical activity, exercise and play on health, the environment and human development.” outdoorosity.podcasts.appstate.edu, hopelab.appstate.edu
The Rotary Club of Ashe County funds signage at Paddy Mountain Park, courtesy of Northern Peaks
A Season of New Beginnings
By Karen Rieley
Spring in the High Country is special every year—almost overnight, it seems, bare trees sprout leaves, buds appear on bushes, and buzzing bees and butterflies enjoy emerging flowers. The air is cool and refreshing without the bite of cold endured for the past few months. Birds appear and make cheerful music. Hibernating animals awake and venture out to forage for food. Mothers give birth, and their babies grow strong and independent quickly.
This spring is particularly poignant and critical. The High Country welcomes visitors and residents alike to experience a true rebirth this year. Perhaps more than other years, we can all appreciate the stubbornness of nature to survive, even in the face of devastation. In spite of all that Hurricane Helene has damaged, spring weather will encourage new growth and rebirth, and the return of visitors to the High Country. Events, attractions and businesses, especially small, local entrepreneurs, are eager for visitors to help rejuvenate the local economy by enjoying all that the area has to offer.
“We are ready and need for people to return to the High Country,” noted John Caveny, director of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “There are misconceptions about what is closed or inaccessible.”
Most attractions and venues in the High Country are open, although some may have limited hours or specific closures
depending on the attraction. While main roads are generally clear, some secondary roads might still be under repair. Call the particular venue or park directly to make sure of its condition and limitations, if any.
Restoring the Ecosystems
While flora and fauna have suffered from Hurricane Helene, there will still be many opportunities to see the season’s wildflowers, such as trillium, spring beauty, trout lily, pinxter flower, fire pink, and bluets, as they emerge in different stages along varying elevations. The earliest bloomers and budding trees appear in the High Country by mid-April to early May, first in the lower elevations like Mountain City, Tennessee, at 2,418 feet, and then in higher ones, like those in North Carolina—Boone at 3,333 feet, Blowing Rock at 3,560 feet and Beech Mountain at 5,506 feet above sea level.
By mid-May, many of the early flowerbearers will have already bloomed, dispersed seeds, and fallen dormant until the next year. North Carolina’s state flower, the dogwood, can also be found blooming in early May just as the leaves are starting to grow on many trees. Beautiful pink-shell azaleas, flame azaleas and Carolina rhododendrons also usually begin to bloom in May.
“The flower response in those places not covered in debris [from Helene] should be unchanged,” said Curtis Smalling, Audubon North Carolina’s executive director. “In
areas with a lot of storm damage to trees, the flush of growth may be more dense than usual as seed bank plants that have been waiting for sunshine germinate. This is the response we fear from non-native invasives as well.”
Many individuals and organizations are hard at work trying to reclaim and restore the High Country’s ecosystem. Ben Graham, engagement director of Audubon North Carolina, reported in a February article that Audubon chapters in the mountains have been focused on recovery efforts. They have seen years of investments in native plantings and other habitat work washed away. At Valle Crucis Community Park and other stream-side parks around Boone, High Country Audubon has planted hundreds, maybe thousands of native shrubs, grasses and trees over the years, most of which were buried or washed out. Since the storm, the chapter has returned, replanting hundreds of native shrubs and plants between Valle Crucis and Green Valley Park in Todd, NC. But there is still more work to do.
“With the forest canopy opening in some areas that experienced extremely intense blowdown, you have more sunlight hitting the ground now, which will favor a different suite of plants, which will, in turn, favor a different suite of animals,” explained Gary Peeples, deputy field office supervisor for the Asheville Field Office of the U.S.
Matt Drury (sawing) from ATC and a Carolina Mountain Club volunteer (and former AT Thruhiker) work to clear Helene damage on the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, NC. Photo by Rocko Smucker
Flame Azalea, photo by Skip Sickler, courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Fish and Wildlife Service. “These blowdown areas are also now full of deadwood, which brings with it forest fire concerns.”
Aquatic habitats are highly sensitive to changes in the number of particles in the water and aquatic organisms are therefore likely to suffer long-term effects from Hurricane Helene. The most noticeable destruction to date has been to the critical habitat of the eastern hellbender—a rare salamander and the largest amphibian in North America.
Many species of bats roost in bridges, including federally endangered gray bats, and may not have survived the storm. Birds like the Blackburnian Warbler and the Scarlet Tanager depend on tree canopies, and the loss of mature trees due to the storm and subsequent invasive plant growth may threaten their nesting sites.
How to be a Responsible Visitor
Many resources exist to help you make your plans to enjoy all that the High Country has to offer. The key is being a responsible and caring visitor who can contribute to the area’s economic and ecological rebirth. Planning ahead and preparing for an outdoor excursion are important anytime and especially this spring as rehabilitation and recovery efforts continue.
“I recommend people search for areas they want to explore then check in with the land management agency responsible for
the site, be it North Carolina State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, or National Park Service to get the latest information on access,” Peeples said.
Matt Drury, the associate director of science and stewardship for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, advises, “Respect closure orders and stay on the trail. The forest has changed. With 180,000 acres of forest canopy lost because of the hurricane, there will continue to be overhead challenges. Look up. When it is windy, walk out of the forest, because trees are still crashing down. Be aware that access roads for search and rescue crews may be gated and covered up, so they may not be able to rescue you.”
Volunteer Vacations: Make a Difference When You Visit the High Country
You can enjoy the High Country while helping to restore the area at the same time. Chambers of Commerce, tourism development authorities (TDAs), and visitor centers are good sources of information about volunteer opportunities available in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, and Mitchell counties in NC; Carter and Hawkins counties in TN; and Grayson and Washington counties in VA.
Mountain True (mountaintrue.org) and Watauga Riverkeeper coordinate volunteer activities, including river cleanups to remove trash and debris along the banks
of rivers that were left behind by Hurricane Helene, invasive plant workdays, water quality samplings and live staking workdays. Since January 2025, volunteers have planted over 2,000 native stakes along the edge of the Watauga and New rivers, helping to support native biodiversity and stream bank restoration.
Defenders of Wildlife and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission report that public information regarding hellbender sightings is enormously helpful. If you find a hellbender, leave it alone, but take a photo and note the location. Then, email lori.wiliams@ncwildlife.gov with the information. If you catch one while fishing, carefully remove the hook if it’s safe to do so without hurting the animal, or cut the line as close to the hook as possible. Then, return the hellbender to the water and report the sighting.
The Season of Hope
The resurgence of life is pulsing throughout the High Country. New growth, new beginnings and the promise of a brighter future surround visitors and residents alike. It is almost impossible not to feel hopeful, believing that in the midst of challenges and dark times, the future will be better than today, and optimism, motivation and strategy will prevail. Come refresh your soul while helping the High Country rejuvenate as well.
Watauga Riverkeeper outreach coordinator Emma Crider demonstrates how to trim and plant livestakes along a section of the Watauga River.
Inset: Kendrick Weeks, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and Sue Cameron, US Fish and Wildlife Service, measure the foot of a rare Carolina Northern flying squirrel.
Pink Azalea, photo by Skip Sickler, courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
The Blue Ridge Parkway has many opportunities to find flowers along the roadsides, hiking trails and overlooks. Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain have optimal conditions for bird watching, as does the Boone Greenway in the town of Boone. High Country Audubon Chapter (highcountryaudubon.org) offers bird walks, watches and field trips, providing a safe and informative way to experience the area’s flora and fauna.
Plan ahead for your visit to the High Country! These organizations, among others, provide current information about travel, road closures, alerts and warnings.
NC Visit North Carolina (visitnc.com/advisory/cAdA/hurricane-helene-travel-advisory)
The National Park Service (nps.gov/blri/ planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov/office/ Asheville-ecological-services)
Star Chickweed, photo by Skip Sickler
High Country Golf Post Hurricane Helene
By Tom McAuliffe
“It’s as bad as you can possibly imagine, maybe worse,” intoned greens superintendent Pete Gerdon of Grandfather Golf and Country Club in the definitive ‘post Helene’ report from author Trent Bouts for Carolina Golf Magazine. Steve Sheets of the Linville Ridge Club, where thousands of trees were downed, added in Bouts’ report, “the words you read and the videos you see can’t describe the devastation. You have to see how it is in person. Without that you can’t grasp the enormity of it.”
From Jefferson Landing Country Club and Resort in Ashe County, to Mount Mitchell Golf Club in Yancey County, the impact of 20+ inches of rainfall in 48 hours grew in ugly intensity on its march southward.
Mount Mitchell Golf Club was on the receiving end of the Toe River flood after its destructive passage through Avery County. There, club maintenance manager Ryan Wiebe and his wife lost their home, but survived. Four other family members did not.
Flood waters in western North Carolina were likened to “the flow over Niagra Falls for 619 days, at 748,000 gallons of water per second.” As for the Fred Hawtree design at Mount Mitchell, questions remain unanswered.
Yet, for the greens crews throughout the High Country, the work goes on. As will the game of golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
PUBLIC COURSES
Boone Golf Club Boone, NC
Opening regular mid-April date after light damage from Helene.
Tom Adams, PGA
Architect Ellis Maples, Revision Rick Robbins
• ‘Must play’ Mountain Standard in 66th season. A mountain classic by Ross protégé Ellis Maples. Opened 1959, the Boone Golf Club proved a primary driver to growth of summer tourism in the High Country.
828-264-8760
www.boonegolfclub.com
Mountain Glen Golf Club Newland, NC
Though closed for the season the day of Helene, expect an April opening for this local favorite.
Robert Nowak, PGA
Architect George Cobb
• Grass roots creation modeled after Boone GC success in 1965. A ‘play every day’ kind of club.
828-733-5804
Mountainglengolfclub.com
Sugar Mountain Golf Club
Sugar Mountain, NC
The popular ‘muni’ took Helene’s best shot. Nine holes open early May, with total rehab of second nine holes late June or July. Pro shop opens April 14. Call for updates.
Tom McAuliffe, Golf Director
Architect Frank Duane
• Dynamite par 64. Everyman’s golf club in a land of giants.
828-898-6464
www.seesugar.com
Mt. Mitchell Golf Club Burnsville, NC
The High Country’s southern-most favorite devastated by Helene. Restoration schedule to be determined. Note website below for notifications.
Architect Fred Hawtree
828-675-5454
www.mountmitchellgolf.com
Willow Valley Boone, NC
Some flood damage on Baird’s Creek but course plans April opening per usual.
Architect Tom Jackson (nine holes)
• One of Jackson’s earlier creations, he’s now a member of the Carolinas Golf Hall-of-Fame. The Little Green Monster is an exceptional par three course.
828-963-6865
Mountain Aire Golf Club West Jefferson, NC
Closed two weeks in October following Helene but re-opened March 10 to eager public demand.
Architect/Committee, Revisions Dennis Lehmann
• Popular Ashe County stop, driving range, good course, good folks in the pro shop.
Philip Shepherd carrying bright torch in Hagel family tradition enters his 13th season at the helm.
336-877-4716
www.Mountainaire.com
Grassy Creek Golf Club Spruce Pine, NC
Dodged the Helene Bullet. Opened front nine in March. Rebuilt driving range and had back nine repairs complete for April 1st debut. New ownership making great strides, naming Linville’s Scott Watson greens superintendent. Craig Sparks, PGA
• Visit the Mitchell County mainstay and find out what all the locals love about Grassy Creek in Spruce Pine.
828-765-7436
www.grassycreek.com
Linville Land Harbor Golf # 7 with Grandfather in the background
Spring Golf on Sugar Mountain, photo by Todd Bush
RESORT CLUBS WITH LODGING ACCESS TO GOLF
Hound Ears Club Blowing Rock, NC
The Watauga River wreaked havoc on three holes but restoration nears completion for mid-April opening per usual.
Peter Rucker, PGA, App State alum begins 43rd year at fabled club.
Architect George Cobb
Revisions Tom Jackson
• Private club with golf available for guests lodging in Clubhouse accommodations and via Qualified Member Home Rentals. A very special and playable golf course. 828-963-4321 www.houndears.com
Jefferson Landing Country Club & Resort
Jefferson, NC
The High Country’s northern most course open for play this spring.
Dan Stepnicka, PGA
Architect Larry Nelson/Dennis Lehmann
• Course access for members and on-site lodgers—great golf getaway for your group. Outside play welcome per space available. Call for tee times. Beautiful Ashe County classic. Clubhouse dining. 1-800-292-6274 www.visitjeffersonlanding.com
Linville Land Harbor Linville Beautiful property on Linville River took brunt on back nine property. Front nine opens April 15. Back nine undergoes restoration and new irrigation slated to debut Memorial Day. Dexter Bentley continues to deliver immaculate putting surfaces.
Donnie Davis, PGA
Architects Tom Jackson (A-9 Ernie Hayes)
• Long-time private enclave between Linville and Pineola open to public. Fabulous putting surfaces.
828-733-8325 www.linvillelandharbor.com
PRIVATE CLUBS: MEMBERS AND GUESTS ONLY
Some clubs below may offer short-term rental membership privileges with club or member sponsorship.
Beech Mountain Club Beech Mountain, NC
The ridgetop beauty escaped serious damage and opens Mothers’ Day Weekend.
Jason ‘Catfish’ Hildreth, PGA
Architect Willard Byrd
• New golf director Hildreth trades Carolina low country for Eastern America’s Highest Town at 5,506’. Ridge Top layout with views of five states, including Kentucky when the Blue Moon is full. Members only and accompanied guests.
828-387-4208 ext. 201 www.beechmtnclub.org
Grandfather Golf & Country Club
Linville, NC
Four bridges washed away, rebuilt in time for May 2nd opening.
Jonah Cox, PGA
Architect Ellis Maples 828-898-4388
Blowing Rock Country Club
Blowing Rock, NC
This jewel dodged trouble and regular opening day this spring
Andrew Glover, PGA
Architect Donald Ross, Seth Raynor
• Revisions Tom Jackson and more recently by Ross specialist Kris Spence a big hit.
828-295-3171
Elk River Club Banner Elk, NC
The Elk River devastated Nicklaus’ first signature design in North Carolina. Restoration requires reshaping, reseeding tee to green. Club taking advantage of disaster to refine stellar layout further still. Re-opening TBD, projected late September.
Dave Ambrose, PGA
Architect Jack Nicklaus/Bob Cupp
828-898-9773
Linville Ridge Club Linville, NC
Skirted significant damage. Opens on schedule May 16.
Matt Benton, PGA
Architect George Cobb Revisions Bobby Weed 828-742-4140
“Eastern America’s Highest Golf Course”
Diamond Creek Banner Elk, NC
Opening May 21st in tip top shape.
Joe Humston, PGA
Architect Tom Fazio
828-898-1800
Linville Golf Club—Linville, NC
In the midst of greens renovation Helene comes to town. Nevertheless, official opening day May 16
Bill Stines, PGA
Architect Donald Ross—Revisions Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Bobby Weed.
• Longtime public access to historic Eseeola Lodge now member and guests only. 828-733-4311
www.eseeola.com
Hole #15 at Hound Ears
Beech Mtn Club’s #10 Signature hole, photo by Todd Bush
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Read any good history books lately?
All history is local. The American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Space Race—all were events that took place on a global scale. Yet every one of those events has ties to the history of the High Country. The Overmountain Men marched through the mountains of present-day Avery County, on their way to defeat the British at the battle of Kings Mountain; a skirmish during the Civil War was fought in the streets of Boone in March 1865; the Great Depression closed banks in Boone and Blowing Rock; and Christopher Kraft, the first NASA flight director at Cape Canaveral, Florida (now Kennedy Space Center), spent time with his mother’s family in Lenoir in Caldwell County and Linville in Avery County when he was young.
One of the best ways to learn more about these events is by diving into a local history book.
Dr. Lyman Draper was the first to really explore the history of the area. Lyman, who was the secretary for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, took a great interest in both Daniel Boone and in the battle of Kings Mountain. While researching projects on both those subjects, Draper corresponded with a wide range of families. The fathers or grandfathers had known Boone or had marched with the Patriots to Kings Mountain. For the Daniel Boone project, which was not published in his lifetime, he conversed with Benjamin Greer, Samuel Wilcox, and John Yates. For the Kings Mountain book, released in 1881, he wrote the descendants of Waightstill Avery, Charles McDowell, William Lenoir, and Benjamin Cleveland.
In May 1913, John Preston Arthur moved to Boone, living at the Blair Hotel. A lawyer and teacher from South Carolina, he published his first book, Western North Carolina: A History, 1730-1913. A lawyer and teacher from South Carolina, his first published book was Western North Carolina: A History, 1730-1913. A number of Watauga County residents
By Michael C. Hardy
approached him to write a history of Watauga County in the spring of 1915. For several months, Arthur collected stories and information from Watauga County citizens. The images for the book were taken by Wiley Vannoy of Blowing Rock. A History of Watauga County, North Carolina, with Sketches of Prominent Families was released in December 1915. Arthur’s book was the first published history of a High Country county and goes well beyond the boundaries of Watauga County. Avery County was just four years old when the book was released. Arthur provides great detail into some areas, including Banner Elk.
Watauga County celebrated its centennial in 1949, while Appalachian State Teacher’s College celebrated its 50th year. Wade Brown, Stanley Harris, and Marshall Culbreth, in charge of the centennial publicity committee, asked Dr. Daniel J. Whitener to oversee the creation of a booklet chronicling the history of both the county and the college. Whitener turned to various residents, students, and fellow faculty members to complete the 112-page pamphlet. The authors provide brief glimpses into education, agriculture, churches, and the centennial celebration, along with Appalachian State.
In between the Watauga County volumes came two books by Shepherd Monroe Dugger. Born in 1854 in Tennessee, Dugger was from a family that relocated to Banner Elk before the Civil War. He studied locally and at the University of North Carolina for a while, becoming the first superintendent of Watauga County Schools in 1881. With J. Erwin Callaway, he operated a hotel at the base of Grandfather Mountain. After the death of his wife, Dugger worked in mining and surveying and served as the superintendent of roads in the new Avery County. Dugger entered a contest in the 1890s sponsored by the Linville Improvement Company. The company was offering $1,000 for the best entry on Grandfather Mountain. Dugger did not win, but his entry was
John Preston Arthur wrote the earliest histories of one of the High Country counties. (Michael C. Hardy) Horton Cooper penned the first history of Avery County. (Avery County Historical Museum)
Horton Cooper
THE
published in 1892: The Balsam Groves of the Blue Ridge. Balsam Groves was a fictional account of the area, yet Dugger chose to include nonfictional pieces as well, like journal entries from famed French explorer Andre Michaux and geology professor Elisha Mitchell, altitudes of various mountain peaks, and a somewhat dubious list of “Indian Words” for various peaks and rivers in the area. Dugger’s second book, War Trails of the Blue Ridge, was released in 1932. A great deal of this text focuses on the march of the Overmountain Men and the battle of Kings Mountain. Also examined are Civil War events like the battle of Beech Mountain and the capture of Camp Mast, along with histories of early Avery County, Linville, Banner Elk, and others. Dugger was often considered the “Bard of Ottaray.”
Arthur L. Fletcher was born in Ashe County in 1881. He taught school, earned a degree from Wake Forest College, practiced law, and then became the city editor for the Raleigh Evening Times. After serving along the Mexican Border and in France during World War I, Fletcher returned to North Carolina, working for the NC Department of Revenue, the NC Insurance Department, and in 1932 was elected NC Commissioner of Labor. His first book, a History of the 113th Field Artillery, 30th Division, was released in 1920. This was the regiment in which Fletcher served. There were many men from Ashe, Watauga, Caldwell, Avery, and Wilkes in this organization. In 1930, he wrote a history of the American legion in North Carolina. Composed of three volumes, this work chronicles a post-World War I veterans’ organization. Just three years before his death, Fletcher released his 400-page history of Ashe County in 1963. Fletcher examines early explorers and settlers, the American Revolution, county formation in 1799, courts, geography, industry, railroads, fraternal organizations, and much more.
EARLY HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE HIGH COUNTRY
Another World War I veteran, Horton Cooper, released his History of Avery County a year after Fletcher released his history of Ashe County. Cooper was born in the Frank community, then in Mitchell County, in 1892. After attending Catawba College, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, attending officers’ training school and earning a commission as a second lieutenant. However, the war ended before he was deployed overseas. Cooper returned home, and for the next fifty-five years taught or administered in Avery County schools. Around 1936, he released his first history of Avery County. It was mimeographed, and only a handful of copies survive. In 1964, Cooper revised his work, which was released by Biltmore Press. In a short, 100-pages volume, Cooper relayed stories of early settlement, the Overmountain Men, the formation of Watauga County and Mitchell County, and Avery County’s 1911 formation. Cooper also includes lists of local people who went away and fought in the World Wars and Korea. In 1972, Cooper released North Carolina Mountain Folklore and Miscellany. This tome looks at mountain medicine, popular songs and ballads, and superstitions, along with ghost stories.
At some point, every one of these volumes, save Cooper’s North Carolina Mountain Folklore and Miscellany, has been reprinted, some more than once. They are all accessible on the book market. Since the late 1990s, there have been a plethora of books published on various places and people related to the High Country. However, all three of these counties could use a good, strong, county history to help inform future generations of the deep history of the area.
Listing on Amazon.com
Shepherd Monroe Dugger wrote a great deal about Grandfather Mountain and early Avery County. (Avery County Historical Museum) / Inset Above: Dugger in his later years.
Prior to writing a history of Ashe County, Arthur L. Fletcher wrote about World War I and the American Legion. (Ashe County History Museum)
Tracing Your Roots at the Highland Games
By Carol Lowe Timblin
Before people looked up their relatives on “Ancestry.com” and “23andMe,” they used the resources they had—family Bibles, wills, letters, libraries, court records, church logs, and tombstones. They probably did some eavesdropping around the dinner table or the campfire. Few ever attended a clan meeting in search of their Scottish roots.
Steve Quillin, president of Grandfather Mountain Highland Games since 2019, sees the annual event as a natural segue into genealogy. “We had 109 clans at the games last year and expect the same number this year,” he said. “I came to the games with my parents in 1968 and never left. I am connected to the McQuillens, McWilliams, McLeods, and Mclarens, and I can claim other families, too.
“It’s one thing to be a spectator at the games,” he added. “It’s another to realize you are part of a family. A lot of people who attend these games have a strong sense of kinship. Of all the highland gatherings I know about, Grandfather Mountain is the only place you get that feeling of belonging. You recognize and appreciate it.”
Meeting Kinfolk at the Games
Knowing that Scottish blood runs through my veins, I visited the Macneil tent the first day of the games last year, while my friend Nancy Hamilton-Musser found her way to the Hamilton tent. We were both warmly received by our fellow clansmen.
“Leaders told me about the clan, upcoming events and how to further research my ancestry,” she said. “Clan Hamilton is active on social media, has a newsletter, and is great about communicating with its members. I learned about the clan crest—Hamilton Through—and the tartan colors.”
I signed up for an annual membership with Clan Macneil of America at a cost of $40. The host gave me a copy of The Galley—a 90-page full-color publication that comes out twice a year. It is filled with interesting stories about Macneils in various parts of the world, articles about genealogy, information on clan membership and clan merchandise, tons of pictures, and more. It has proven to be a valuable tool for what has now become my ongoing research about my ancestors. The membership fee also includes the assistance of a professional genealogist and borrowing privileges from the clan’s lending library.
Scottish Culture
If you attend this year’s games July 10-13 and have Scottish roots of your own, Quillin recommends checking out the Council of Scottish Clans Association (COSCA) tent and the Scottish Tartans Authority tent at the games. Both have knowledgeable volunteers who can explain how clans and families are connected, though not every family may have a clan.
If you want to learn more about highland culture, he recommends visiting the
Scottish Cultural Village, which offers educational and entertaining programs on subjects ranging from whisky talks and tastings to Scottish baking to clans and chiefs. There are also rare opportunities to learn Gaelic songs and compete in Gaelic mod singing contests. Workshops and competitions on fiddling and harp playing, piping and drumming, spinning and weaving, Scottish dancing, and more, are available, too. There’s even a children’s tent where youngsters can learn about their Scottish heritage.
Athletic prowess is an integral part of Scottish culture, so don’t miss the caber toss, hammer throw, wrestling, and track-andfield competitions. Sheep herding, popular in Scotland, is always a draw at the games. Between watching competitions you might consider buying your family tartan or crest from one of the vendors. And be sure to sample the delicious meat pies, shortbread, and other Scottish delicacies.
Important to GMHG history is the Agnes Morton Memorial and the Memorial Cairn in MacRae Meadows. Morton, who co-founded the games in 1956, played an active role in the event until her death in 1982. The Memorial Cairn was built of stones from major Scottish clans in 1980 on the silver anniversary of the games.
Clan Macneil in Western NC
Attending last year’s Grandfather Mountain Highland Games was not only a wonderful experience, it helped me trace
my family all the way back to Scotland. I learned my McNeill family hails from the Isle of Barra, a rocky island located off the west coast of Scotland. Atop the rock sits the imposing Castle Kisimul, a destination for serious pilgrims. It is featured on the Macneil crest with the motto “Buaidh no bas,” which translated means “Victory or Death.” There are 32 different spellings of the family name and all are included in a sept, which is defined as a community or clan. My family spells the name “McNeill” with two l’s, though the family patriarch who immigrated to America spelled his name “McNiel.”
According to an article in The Galley, the Macneils of Barra settled in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina in 1735 and 1744 about the time of the Great Awakening in Europe. Many remained there, while others traveled west until they found the place they wanted to settle. Our patriarch, the Rev. George McNiel (my fifth great-grandfather) was born in Glasgow in 1720 and immigrated to the Carolina coast, along with brothers John and Thomas, about 1750, eventually settling in Wilkes County. Educated as a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, he joined the Great Revival movement in America, with a focus on evangelism and personal conversion. Presbyterians being hard to find in North Carolina at that time, Grandfather McNiel was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1776. During his ministry he organized several Baptist churches
in the Wilkes County area and was a leader in organizations such as the Yadkin Valley Baptist Association. He also served as the Register of Deeds of the county from 1787 until his death in 1805. George and his wife, Mary Coats, had eight children and lived in the Lewis Fork area of the county.
Grandfather McNiel also delved into local politics from time to time. His decision to join the Regulator Movement, a rebellion against the King, prompted his escape to Grayson, VA, following the Battle of Alamance County in 1771. (Over 100 men died in the battle and six Regulators were later hanged in Hillsborough.) He also served as a chaplain to the Overmountain Men under Colonel Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.
McNiel’s zeal for preaching the Gospel was passed down through the generations that followed. The Rev. Milton McNeill (1846-1929), a great grandson and my great grandfather, was known for his fire-andbrimstone preaching style at area Baptist churches, including a few where George McNiel had served. He was also a justice of the peace, clerk of the Superior Court, sheriff of Wilkes County, and the mayor of Wilkesboro. America Ann McNeill, his daughter and my grandmother, had 13 children with her husband Thomas Harvey West. The family lived in the Stony Fork area of Wilkes County for many years before moving by wagon to Banner Elk in 1902. Their beautiful mountain farm, with its stunning
view of Grandfather Mountain, is now occupied by the Lowe’s Home Improvement store. Several members of the family (including my parents, grandparents, and Nancy Land West, my great-grandmother who was a Civil War widow) are buried in the Banner Elk Cemetery.
The 2025 Highland Games
This year’s Games will kick off on Thursday evening, July 10, with the torchlight ceremony. In the old days it called clans to battle; today it calls clans to games and competitions. The official opening ceremony will be held on Friday morning, as the sounds of bagpipes and drums echo over the mountains. Saturday will be a full day of heavy athletic events. The church service, also called the “kirkin’ of the tartans,” will take place at the worship platform on Sunday morning, followed by the spectacular parade of tartans and recognition of the winners of various competitions at the games.
When making plans this spring to attend the 69th annual games on July 10-13, 2025, check the official website often—gmhg.org—as details are added daily. It’s also a good place to register for events, purchase tickets, and see when your favorite music group is playing. See our Regional Happenings for more details.
Across, Left to Right: Parade of Tartans, photo by Nancy Hamilton / The Clan Macneil, photo by Carol Timblin / Macneil Clan Tent, photo by Carol Timblin / Clan Representatives, photo by James J Shaffer / Torchlight, photo courtesy GMHG
Ruth Shirley: Driving Change in Our Community
By Kim S. Davis
Theremarkable woman featured in this article positively impacts everyone who has grown up in Avery County in the last half-century. As her former colleague and long-time friend, this author can attest to the fact that everything Ruth Shirley does is because she cares deeply about her community and is dedicated to serving others. Her benevolence and leadership are inspired by an intense desire to ensure individuals and groups in her community have access and opportunity to live quality lives. She takes decisive actions and motivates others to act as well.
Ruth Shirley’s desire to serve emerged when she was just a teenager, and some readers may even remember being dropped off at school by “Ruthie” when she drove a school bus while still in high school. Always aspiring to serve others, she earned her teaching degree from Appalachian State University and returned to her community to work with high school students, as both a teacher and through her tireless involvement in extracurricular organizations. As founding sponsor of the Interact Club at Avery High School in the early 1990s, Ruth and her colleagues worked alongside hundreds of students building ramps for the elderly, doing yard work, raising funds, and spending countless hours volunteering for the community.
Her passion to enhance her community along with her ability to supervise and organize guided her transition to the role of Principal, where she excelled in her determination to put students first. She led by example and did whatever was necessary to secure support and materials for her students, their families, and her faculty. She worked tirelessly organizing fundraisers, locating and accessing charity funding, writing grants, and digging into her own pocket to provide the necessary resources.
After retiring from the school system, she continued her service work with Habitat for Humanity, drove a shuttle bus for Grandfather Mountain, and served as a member of the Avery County Board of Education (BOE), where she came full circle and volunteered as a fill-in bus driver. Eventually she resigned from the BOE to become a full-time bus driver because, as she puts it, “They had plenty of board members, but there was an extreme shortage of bus drivers.”
It might have been divine intervention that landed Ruth Shirley working parttime for Volunteer Avery County in January of 2024, a year that would usher in such destruction for many residents just eight months later. At first she worked 28 hours a week, mainly helping senior citizens with heat, rent, and minor repairs. However on
September 27, the day Hurricane Helene took aim on Avery County, she was rapidly promoted to full-time and then some, working every day for long hours doing what she does best—getting things done for her community.
Immediately after the storm, Ms. Shirley went to the Rock Gym in Newland, NC, to help those who had come to the makeshift shelter, many of whom had brought their pets. Some of the evacuees came because they had no power or water; many had damage to their homes, and others had lost everything. Ruth Shirley sprang into action helping them so they could return to their homes as soon as possible. She was especially dedicated to helping the animals because, as she reflects, “These people had lost everything and their pets were all some of them had left.”
Her many tireless years of dedication to the community and developing relationships led her to another valuable resource. One of her students from the Interact Club, Anna Wilson, had become a veterinarian. Anna came back to her community and volunteered to help the animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. Ruth jokingly says that she “drew the line at pet snakes.”
During the first few months following the storm, Shirley worked extended hours seven days a week dealing with whatever
Photo taken by Ruth Shirley ...always finding hope.
came up. Her primary role was to assess what was needed and secure those necessities. For example, an evacuee arrived at the shelter with her cell phone but no debit card or identification. Once cellular service was restored, her bill came due; Shirley helped her get the bill paid and complete the process to get a new debit card and social security card.
Additionally, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, organizations would reach out to Shirley because they knew she was on the front lines. Someone from the rescue squad might call and say, “If you can get Joe* a generator and fuel, he could go back home.” So Shirley would locate the generator and fuel from the many organizations collecting donations and Joe could return home.
Once shelter guests had relocated into hotels, or were able to get back into their homes, Shirley’s role shifted once more. She again called on those long-forged relationships and her experience acquiring resources to continue to meet the goal of getting all displaced families back into their homes, and to also make sure they had what they needed to repair their homes. This was an immense task because of the continued housing needs throughout Avery County after Helene.
However, our resilient mountain com-
munities are home to dedicated individuals and organizations working to restore the region’s housing needs. These people and groups ultimately formed a task force to maximize expertise and abilities, eliminate duplication, and streamline the huge endeavor of recovery for all. Jesse Pope, President and Executive Director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, called a meeting for local entities working with hurricane victims—out of that meeting, the Avery County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) emerged. Shirley was appointed Vice Chair of the Group. Made up of faith-based, non-profit, government, and business organizations, their mission is to “Mind the Gap between Strategic Intent and Capability to Act.”
The LTRG is a clearinghouse for identifying the ongoing needs of Avery County residents and locating the resources to meet those needs, a perfect fit for Shirley. Specifically, Ms. Shirley says that what she does is find out what someone might need for their housing to be whole. For instance, if someone needs flooring, they speak with Shirley; she gets donations or grants to help pay for the flooring, and then locates and acquires the materials. There are some needs that are too great for the LTRG to manage so Shirley helps those individuals get in touch with the appropriate agency or organization. She
says her biggest lesson in this is, “You have to know your limitations. Some cases are too big for me to take on and so I find others who are able to help.”
Shirley notes that there were 175 households needing housing within the county after Hurricane Helene and multiple lists of needs organized by very broad criteria. So the LTRG continues to determine the levels of need, vett those needs, organize volunteers, locate grant monies or donations, and work on a case by case basis to fulfill requests. With so many varying cases, the Group hired James Eury as the case manager to ensure the abundant tasks continue to be well managed and organized.
Today, through the hard work of so many dedicated volunteers, including the LTRG and Ruth Shirley, most of the hurricane-displaced families have returned to their homes, or are living securely in other rental or temporary housing. As Shirley recounted the constant juggling required to meet the needs of so many, she was quick to recognize the numerous other people who she says have “done a hundred times more than I have.” But as this author and those who work with Shirley are fully aware, only a super-hero can accomplish all that she has for our beloved mountain community.
*Not the resident’s real name
Ruth Shirley, center, served as principal to this class of ACHS graduates from pre-k through 8th grade
Ruth Shirley, left, helps Ashley Gentry and mother Glenda with home repairs following Helene
Ruth Shirley, second from left, when she was a teacher at ACHS
Discover
Immerse
The Most Exciting Derby Party in the High Country
The Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center will hold its always-popular annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3 at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock (the site of America’s oldest continuous outdoor horse show). Spirit Ride provides Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in an effort to achieve goals that enhance physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for children ages 3-17 with a wide array of diagnoses. This May event is the primary method of raising funds for the organization’s operating costs. Spirit Ride also welcomes in-kind donations for the event. You can learn more, donate, and purchase tickets at SpiritRideNC.org
The Nexsen Ringers Present “Spring Ring ‘25” Come and enjoy an afternoon of musical talent on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Boone United Methodist Church. The Nexsen Ringers, the High Country’s Community Handbell Choir, consists of musicians of all ages and
from all walks of life. Director Dana Davis is joined by Guest Conductor Brian Childers for this fun spring event. Enjoy the technical display of teamwork, as the group comes together to share their unique love of handbells across all musical genres. There is no charge for this event, though donations are appreciated. Your support funds new bells, sheet music, and more. “Every contribution, big or small, makes a lasting note in our community’s harmony.” Boone UMC is located at 471 New Market Blvd, Boone. Booneumc.org/Spring-Ring
Artists
in Residence at Edgewood Cottage
Heading to Blowing Rock? Visit Edgewood Cottage! Charming Edgewood Cottage, the restored original home and studio of renowned American artist Elliott Daingerfield, opens its doors every May to welcome local juried artists. Each artist shows, tells and sells their art to visitors from near and far. In past years, visitors have come from three different countries and over 30 states to enjoy local outstanding art. The first show begins May 26 - June 1, with shows every week through September 7. Get to know the resident artists at artistsatedgewood.org.
Trunk Show Exclusives at Abode Home
Get ready for summer with Abode Home’s exclusive trunk shows, featuring the latest collections from Ro’s Garden, Clara Williams, In2Design, and more. Don’t miss out on the chance to shop these stunning pieces. For dates and details, be sure to follow @abodebymtm on Instagram. Abode Home is located at 4004 NC Hwy 105, Suite 1 in Banner Elk.
Meet the Wildlife Ambassadors
As in past years, the Lees-McRae Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will offer wildlife presentations to the public beginning this spring. Meet students and animal ambassadors at these fun and informative sessions that the whole family will enjoy. Sessions will be held at two locations this year, including Tate-Evans Park in Banner Elk every Friday, May 23 – July 25, 1 - 2 p.m, and Grandfather Mountain every Saturday, May 24 – July 26, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. facebook.com/BlueRidgeWildlifeInstitute
“Surge” Wins Most Awards in WHS History
For the third time in four years, Watauga High School’s Pioneer Playmakers took to the national stage—this time in Baltimore, MD—during the Southeastern Theatre Conference in late March. Their production of “Surge” captured five top honors, including three “All Star Acting and Composition” awards, “Best Original Play Concept” for the original play about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and “Excellence in Ensemble Acting” which, in an unusual move by the adjudicators, was the only one presented at the festival. WHS drama teachers and co-directors Sarah Miller and Zach Walker noted that it was the most wins ever for the Boone high school. continued....
Walker said that he is “so proud of these students for sharing such personal work and showing vulnerability beyond their years.” Remarkably, only five of 19 cast and crew members involved in the production are graduating seniors, leaving a solid majority of participants to carry on the play festival tradition next season.
Bravo, Pioneer Playmakers!
Lees-McRae Mountain Day of Service
Lees-McRae College expanded its annual Mountain Day of Service tradition this year to include alumni, families, friends, and members of the local community along with students and college employees. On March 28, a total of 600 volunteers completed projects at 35 sites around Avery, Carter, and Watauga counties, primarily focusing on helping with hurricane recovery. Groups cleaned up debris at multiple locations on and off campus, live staked river banks with MountainTrue, sorted donations at Feeding Avery Families, and helped rebuild damaged property. Those who participated were thrilled to come together as ONE Lees-McRae to give back to the High Country in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Happenings at Our Local Humane Societies
Over at the Avery Humane Society (AHS), the “Rescue Readers” program is underway; this unique program pairs kids with shelter cats for reading sessions. Kids improve their reading skills in a fun, relaxing, non-judgmental environment. If you know any book-loving kids or kids who just want to improve their
reading skills, reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Gregoire for more information at 828-733-2333 or jennifer@averyhumane.org.
Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for Avery Humane Society’s annual fundraiser— There’s No Place Like a FUREVER HOME on Thursday, August 28, at The Venue at Boulder Creek. Tickets and updates for the event can be found at averyhumane.org
Over at the Wautaga Humane Society (WHS), they’re celebrating a recordbreaking year for their “SNIPs” (Spay/ Neuter Is a Positive Solution) public program! During 2024 the SNIPS program funded 395 surgeries for community owned pets. Funding came from various sources including Dining Days with local participating restaurants, Sow & Grow plant sales through the Food Hub, and Crafts for Critters craft sales out in the community and in the WHS lobby. Over $30,000 went toward offsetting surgery costs for owned pets, “and it was all because of volunteer help and supporters like you!” wataugahumane.org
Avid Cyclists, Save the Date!
Online registration is currently open for the popular Ashe County event, Blue Ridge Brutal, celebrating 35 years! This year’s event is scheduled for August 16. The Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride takes serious riders through some of the most beautiful scenery in North Carolina. Routes include 100, 70, 50 or 25 miles, and the start and finish point for all rides is Jefferson Town Hall in Jefferson, NC. Blue Ridge Brutal’s proceeds benefit the group’s scholarship fund for graduating seniors. More information can be found at blueridgebrutal.org and on the event’s Facebook page.
Manage Your Energy Budget with Greater Ease
Sometimes people need a little extra flexibility when it comes to monthly bills. A “pay-as-you go” prepaid electric service, Blue Ridge Energy’s FlexPay billing option lets you structure your payment schedule to meet your budget needs, readily view your daily electricity usage, and receive account status notifications. For propane customers, Blue Ridge Energy offers a Budget Billing program designed to give participating customers set monthly payments (interest free) and the convenience of auto-fill delivery service (for those who meet eligibility requirements). Learn more about these options at blueridgeenergy.com.
We’re Better Together
The “Together We Recover 828” design (pictured below) is an iconic image seen throughout western NC, as all of us in the 828 area code continue the recovery efforts. This beautiful design was created by Leigh Ann Cairns of Snow in July Designs. “My mission with this design is to spread it far and wide to let people know we will recover together and that ALL PROCEEDS from any use of it go to Hurricane Helene Relief.” Learn more and purchase “Together We Recover 828” merchandise at snowinjulydesigns.com (Photo
taken at Grandview Restaurant in Foscoe) CAROLINA
Apple Hill Farm Store
“Get back in touch with what's real.”
Largest selection of alpaca yarns & accessories in the High Country.
Hours: Mon - Sat 10-4; Sun 12-4 Banner Elk, NC | (828)963-1662 www.applehillfarmnc.com
The Future of Cancer Treatment
We are raising money to bring the advanced Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator to the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center. This cutting-edge technology will enhance our ability to provide cancer treatments. Join our fundraising efforts to make this critical investment in patient care a reality.
What is a Linear Accelerator?
A medical linear accelerator (LINAC) delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons tailored to match the shape of a tumor, effectively targeting and destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This advanced technology is equipped with several safety features to ensure accurate dosage delivery, regularly monitored and verified by a medical physicist for optimal performance.
Before your radiation therapy session with LINAC, your radiation oncologist will work closely with a dosimetrist and medical physicist to create a personalized treatment plan. The plan undergoes rigorous checks before treatment, followed by continuous quality assurance procedures, ensuring each session is consistently accurate. This streamlined process also reduces the time our patients spend on the treatment table. For
information or to make a secure online donation use this QR code or visit unchealthappalachian.org/foundation
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20 Years of Changing Lives: The New Opportunity School for Women at Lees-McRae College
Each summer since 2005, Appalachian women have been gathering on the LeesMcRae College campus for a three-week transformative experience that seeks to give them the skills and tools to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. This summer, the 2025 cohort of the New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) marks 20 years of the program that changes lives one summer at a time.
Over the past two decades of its operation, NOSW has served dozens of low-income women in the region and has remained unique among similar programs. Unlike many peer organizations, the NOSW experience is truly immersive, bringing participants to the college’s campus where they live, learn, and grow in an enriching environment for the duration of the program.
This strategy allows for a truly transformative experience, and the program curriculum, which focuses on helping participants explore career options, establish educational goals, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their sense of self-esteem, touches on all aspects of a woman’s life.
“It is always inspiring to witness women gaining confidence, setting educational goals, and developing essential skills for career advancement,” said Jennie Harpold, Director of the New Opportunity School for Women. “Over the past twenty years, the program has remained relevant by adapting to change while staying true to its mission of improving
the educational, financial, and personal circumstances of women in Appalachia. Meeting these women each year and later learning of their successes is the most rewarding aspect of my position as director.”
Any woman with a GED or high school diploma with limited financial resources who lives in or hails from the Southern Appalachian region is eligible to apply for this year’s cohort. Participants are typically between the ages of 30 and 55 and are motivated and eager to learn.
The 2025 session will be held Sunday, June 1 through Saturday, June 21, and NOSW requests that applications are submitted by May 1. Visit lmc.edu/academics/nosw/ for more information. Photo courtesy of LeesMcRae College
Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation to Launch Oral History Project at Banner House Museum
The Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation is collaborating with the Appalachian State University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center, Avery County Historical Society and the Beech Mountain Museum to collect stories from Avery County surrounding tropical storm Helene. Kicking off with a special listening day on June 7 at the Banner House Museum, this project is intended to collect short oral histories from members of the Banner Elk and surrounding communities as a way to document and preserve people’s experiences with the flooding and aftermath of Helene.
Recording stations will be set up at each of the three museums throughout their summer seasons where participants may be prompted with a list of interview questions or may come prepared with a specific story they wish to record. These digital recordings will be collected and transcribed by Appalachian State
University and the audio files and transcripts will be added to the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection at App State’s Special Collections Research Center where the interviews will be made accessible to the public for posterity or future projects.
Should community members wish to participate on the June 7th “listening day,” they are asked to sign up for a 20-minute time slot in advance by going to BannerHouseMuseum. org and looking for the Helene Stories signup link. Otherwise, recording opportunities throughout the season will be available at each museum as open hours and volunteer time allows. Admission to each museum for recording purposes will be free while further exhibit admission may apply.
As part of the project, the Banner House Museum will also be featuring a small exhibit on other historic floods that impacted the High Country. To learn more, visit BannerHouseMuseum.org
Amorem’s New High Country Patient Care Unit
AMOREM is nearing completion of their new High Country patient care unit. The 8,460-sq.ft. facility will have seven beds with a full-time local staff dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for residents of Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. The home-like environment will provide large patient rooms and comfortable family areas in a peaceful setting, located just off Archie Carroll Road on Moonstruck Lane in Boone. Appalachian Architecture designed the attractive facility and Greene Construction has overseen the project.
Hospice patients often need more support to address pain, symptoms and needs at the end of life than can be provided at home. The patient care unit will serve as a place to provide holistic support to patients and their
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families. Care teams at the unit will consist of skilled hospice and palliative care providers, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical social workers, chaplains and volunteers.
“We have been overwhelmed with the tremendous support we have received from the High Country communities,” said Kerri McFalls, AMOREM’s Chief Growth and Development Officer. “Being a non-profit hospice organization, the gifts we receive toward this capital project allow us to continue to focus on patient care. AMOREM provides care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay.” Once open, High Country residents will no longer have to travel one to two hours to reach the closest hospice patient care unit.
AMOREM is a community-owned, nonprofit provider. Your tax-deductible gift will bring more quality, more compassion and more support to the High Country. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Visit AMOREMsupport.org to learn more about the services that AMOREM offers, and to track the progress of the High Country patient care unit. Photo courtesy of AMOREM
Remembering Frank Borkowski
Dr. Francis Thomas Borkowski, former chancellor of Appalachian State University from 1993 to 2003, died in January at the age of 88. Under Borkowski’s leadership, App State celebrated its 100th anniversary, enrollment grew from 12,200 to more than 14,300, and Time magazine named the university a
College of the Year in 2001. His focus on global education resulted in App State’s recognition by the American Council on Education as a model institution for international studies.
Borkowski was a first-generation American, the child of Polish immigrants and among the first in his family to earn a high school education. As a professional clarinet and accordion player, as well as a music teacher and conductor, Borkowski loved and generously supported the arts.
The accolades since his passing have been numerous, but CML asked his wife of 65 years, Kay Kiser Borkowski, for her reflections on his remarkable tenure.
“As we were coming to Appalachian from Tampa (in 1993), I’ll never forget Frank’s expressions while looking forward to serving a university such as this,” said Kay. “We had each grown up in small communities, he on the Ohio River and I in a tiny town (population 376) in Indiana, and we immediately felt home in Boone.”
When asked to enumerate which of her husband’s many accomplishments he was most proud, Kay responded, “That is impossible for me to name only a few, but the Hayes gift (to the School of Music in honor of Mariam Cannon Hayes, who had contributed the university’s largest gift to date in support of the arts at the university) or the establishment of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies, or the many buildings that were completed during his tenure (Belk Library and Information Commons, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, the purchase of the New York City Loft, Holmes Convocation Center, McKinney Alumni Center, Rivers Street Parking Deck and Rankin Science North). We’re both quite proud of the development of the Appalachian Theatre.
“In the end, however, it seems that his close relationships with both students and staff was near and dear to his heart.”
Chancellor Borkowski’s official portrait, located inside the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on App State’s Boone campus, features a framed photograph of his beloved wife, Kay. It reminds many of the saying “behind every great man is a great woman,” and suggests that her support and influence were crucial to Frank’s success.
“Since Frank’s death, so many friends have
asked what I’m going to do,” Kay told CML. “As long as possible, my intention is to stay here in the High Country and continue all that we have enjoyed.”
App State’s New Chancellor
Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named chancellor of Appalachian State University, effective March 1. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans made the announcement upon election by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System.
“Dr. Norris has been a widely respected leader and scholar in the Appalachian community for more than two decades, and her service as interim chancellor since last April has been exemplary,” Hans said. “Dr. Norris has risen steadily through the ranks of academic and campus leadership, showing a deep capacity for aligning institutional incentives to student success in a way that has strengthened her university and benefitted a generation of Mountaineer graduates.”
Norris has served as interim chancellor since April 2024. Her career has been characterized by her strong, collaborative leadership and service to both App State and the greater community, and she brings more than two decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise to her role as chancellor.
In response to the news of her appointment, Dr. Norris said, “It is my great honor to continue to serve, building upon the excellence that was established by our founders 125 years ago.
“In addition to my passion for academic excellence and student success, I have a deep appreciation for App State’s mountain heritage and its role in the High Country and Catawba Valley regions,” she said. “I have lived for
most of my life in rural Appalachia, and rural Western North Carolina has been my home for over 20 years. I have built my life here, and generations of my family live here.”
Dr. Norris pledged to continue the work she and her leadership team have undertaken to improve the university’s relationships with its surrounding communities in the Boone and Hickory areas.
“From my first days as interim chancellor, I recognized the need for App State to bolster relationships, and, in some cases, to rebuild, repair and restore trust with our constituent groups,” Norris said. “In partnership with our Board of Trustees and my leadership team, I earnestly set about that work, which we pledge to continue, recognizing that building and maintaining relationships requires ongoing commitment.” Photo by Kyla Willoughby, courtesy of Appalachian State University
The Future of Cancer Treatment: Medical Linear Accelerator
A campaign is underway to bring one of the latest cutting-edge technologies in treating cancer to the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center in Boone. A medical linear accelerator (LINAC) delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons tailored to match the shape of a tumor, effectively targeting and destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This advanced technology is equipped with several safety features to ensure accurate dosage delivery, regulatory monitored, and verified by a medical physicist for optimal performance.
Before a patient undergoes a radiation therapy session with LINAC, their radiation oncologist will work closely with a dosimetrist and medical physicist to create a personalized treatment plan. The plan undergoes rigorous checks before treatment, followed by continuous quality assurance procedures, ensuring each session is consistently accurate. This
....read all about it!
streamlined process also reduces the time cancer patients spend on the treatment table.
The Appalachian Healthcare Foundation in support of UNC Health Appalachian is actively raising funds to equip the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center with the best technology in radiation therapy. The goals of the $5 million campaign include:
Unit construction/shielding and remodeling of the “vault” that houses the linear accelerator
Acquisition/installation of the new Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator
New exam rooms, a new waiting room, and a new nurses station
Chris Petti, longtime supporter of UNC Health Appalachian, helped kick off the campaign for the new linear accelerator—she recently celebrated her 25-year cancer survivorship by making the first generous donation toward the project. You can read about her inspiring journey and personal experience with the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center at unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2024/ chris-petti-25-year-survivorship-donationfor-cancer-treatment/. For more information about the campaign, or to make a secure online donation, visit unchealthappalachian. org/foundation Photo courtesy of UNC Health Appalachian
Footsloggers Now Open in Banner Elk Lees-McRae College and Footsloggers are excited to announce the outdoor retailer has opened a new location in the Cannon Welcome Center on the college’s Banner Elk campus. In addition to sales of the traditional inventory found at their other High Country lo-
cations (Blowing Rock, Boone, West Jefferson), Footsloggers is also now an exclusive provider of Lees-McRae branded merchandise.
When looking for a new retailer to run the campus store, the college specifically sought a local business who could contribute to the college’s educational mission.
“Our strategic plan is rooted in the college motto to be in, of, and for the mountains,” said Blaine Hansen, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Lees-McRae. “Our programs and the students we serve are deeply connected to this place, so we wanted a partner who shared that mission. With a history as the premier local source for outdoor goods, it’s no surprise that Footsloggers was first on our list,” he added.
“It has been a joy working with the college and we are excited to grow together and support their vision as a school, while also expanding our business into the Banner Elk community,” said Jessie Kotzmoyer at Footsloggers. “We are particularly excited about fostering the growth of outdoor programs at Lees-McRae and contributing to the vibrant outdoor culture of Banner Elk. We look forward to becoming an integral part of this community and providing exceptional outdoor gear and expertise to our guests.”
Footsloggers employee Emily Hammell was named manager of the new location. According to Footsloggers, she fell in love with the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. Her passion for the outdoors and for connecting with community members make her an invaluable asset to Lees-McRae College and the Banner Elk community.
The store opened in January with a limited inventory before unveiling its full inventory on March 28. A grand opening event will be held this summer. Current store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. The Cannon Welcome Center is located at 191 Main St W, Banner Elk, NC 28604. Photo, from L to R: Kyle Moorcones, Emily Hammell, Jessie Kotzmoyer and owner Wayne Miller
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CML’s Cultural Arts Editor Inducted into the SETC Hall of Fame
Keith Martin, Cultural Arts Editor here at CML Magazine, was recently inducted into the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) Hall of Fame at their 76th Annual Convention in Baltimore. Established in 2015, the honor recognizes persons who have made major contributions to the organization over a sustained period of time while commemorating their achievements and celebrating their meaningful contributions, which Martin has made over a 53-year span.
Chartered in 1949, SETC is the strongest and broadest network of theatre practitioners in the U.S. and provides extensive resources and year-round opportunities for its constituents. Their services, publications, and products contribute significantly to the careers of emerging artists, seasoned professionals and academicians. SETC energizes the practical, intellectual and creative profile of theatre in America.
Martin has been continuously involved with SETC since age 15 while in junior high school, when he demonstrated dance combinations for professional auditions at their 1972 convention in Columbia, SC. As auditionee, he was hired as actor/singer/dancer/ dance captain and/or choreographer/director at Unto These Hills, Jenny Wiley Summer Music Theatre, A Company of Players, Parkway Playhouse, UNC-G and Lees-McRae Summer The -
atres. As Community Theatre of Greensboro and Theatre Charlotte’s Executive/Artistic Director, Keith was active in SETC’s Community Division as a six-time Regional/National Festival Adjudicator before hosting their National AACTFest’07 Charlotte. He served multiple terms as NC State Rep, SETC Professional Division Chair, Auditions Committee member and, notably, as Local Arrangements Chair for a record eight SETC Conventions.
Martin won the first ever back-to-back NCTC state play festivals while a guest director at Charlotte’s Northwest School of the Arts, and his “Fundraising Tips” guide appears in SETC Festival Manuals over two decades after its first publication. Currently the Distinguished Professor of Theatre at Appalachian State University and five-time Chair of the Appalachian Theatre, his SETC program offerings number three dozen-plus sessions. The former consulting editor of Stage Directions (1994-2006), Martin authored articles for Southern Theatre, SETC News, and SETC Convention News, was Keynote Chair/Moderator with theatre legend Rosemary Harris and her daughter, multi-Tony Award winner Jennifer Ehle, and facilitated keynote addresses by author Sophy Burnham and Tony winner Beth Leavel, among others.
In accepting the award, Martin quoted Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” by saying, “I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.”
Shipley Farms on the Road to Recovery
Helene ravaged Western North Carolina. And while local family farm Shipley Farms, didn’t suffer the complete devastation that some farms and properties experienced,
they did endure plenty of damage—there were eight mudslides on the property, and a tornado whipped across the ridgeline. Yet, the farm’s cattle and historic buildings—dating back to the 1860s—were spared. Several buildings sustained roof damage from wind and trees, and the Shipley Farm Store required complete renovation.
“In an effort to salvage our retail business in the midst of the chaotic recovery period, we immediately purchased a structure that is a mirror image of the original store,” said the Shipleys. “Not only did we replace the Farm Store, we expanded our product offering beyond Shipley Farms beef, pork and merchandise.”
The owners are now proud to offer a variety of North Carolina sourced artisanal, clean label products, from local, farm fresh eggs and cheese to coffee, seasonings, BBQ sauce, snacks and an expanding line of natural selfcare products, such as fluoride-free toothpaste.
They emphasize that supporting local businesses and farms is more important than ever so that our local economy can return to pre-Helene levels. One way in which you can support Shipley Farms is to sign up for a “meat subscription box.” They also invite people to “come on out to the farm. Take a tour. Learn about the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Browse the farm store and get you a steak to throw on the grill for supper and some fresh, local bacon, eggs and coffee for breakfast in the morning.
“On behalf of the Shipley family, we appreciate your support as we continue to navigate the long road to full recovery.”
Shipley farms specializes in raising pasture-fed cattle and providing top-quality beef. The Shipley family has a long tradition of raising English breeds of cattle such as Hereford, Angus, South Devon, and Shorthorn—breeds that trace back to the British Isles, brought to America from England and Scotland in the 1800s. Learn more about Shipley Farms and all they have to offer at shipleyfarmsbeef.com.
Photo: Robert & Gray Shipley—owners, Shipley Farms Beef
Tee 2 Green Golf Opens in Blowing Rock
Attention High Country Golf Enthusiasts… Now you can enjoy playing golf yearround, no matter the weather, no matter a beginner or advanced, no matter a duffer or scratch and no matter your schedule. That’s the unique beauty of Tee 2 Green Golf and Lounge (T2G) indoor simulator golf ranges located at Suite #18 in Blowing Rock’s Shoppes on the Parkway.
T2G is open to both the general public and members. Kids accompanied by an adult guardian are also welcome. T2G offers four large 15-ft wide by 8.5-ft tall golf simulator bays with exact replicas of famous and local golf courses, including Blowing Rock Country Club, Boone Golf Club, Diamond Creek and Grandfather Golf Club…and all feature 4K high definition GSPRO simulator software with over 1,000 18-hole courses, plus Par 3 and Putt-Putt course. And these simulated courses allow for a full 18 holes of play per hour.
Ball and club data analysis and feedback, plus PGA professional golf lessons are available, as well as league tour and competitive play programs complete with various game modes such as Stroke, Match, Scramble, Best Ball and Closest to the Pin. And there’s plenty of comfortable and spacious lounge seating along with self-serve beer and wine taps by “PourMyBeer” for age-appropriate customers.
You can bring your own clubs or use their rentals, and include up to six people in your group. General public fees are $50 per bay per hour. Three levels of VIP membership rates— Eagle, Albatross and Peacock—offer additional benefits, including special per-game rates and access to making reservations outside of normal business hours on a 24/7 basis via an online portal; those members can have up to
three liability waver-verified guests join them. Gift cards are also available.
Tee 2 Green Golf offers everything you love about the game, plus the convenience of indoor, 24/7, state-of-the-art 18-hole course play simulation technology. Full details, rates and extras are online at tee2greenindoorgolf. com – contributed by Steve York
Get To Know STITCH Dwellings
STITCH Dwellings is a residential architecture, interior design, and furnishings firm located in Boone, specializing in custom home design. STITCH Dwellings follows a threephase approach—Clarity, Creativity, and Confidence—to ensure every project meets the highest standards.
In the Clarity Phase, the firm works closely with clients to establish goals and aspirations, creating a strong foundation for the design process. Through visual preference surveys, diagramming, and massing models, clients gain a clear understanding of their future home before any construction begins.
The Creativity Phase brings the design to life in an interactive and immersive way. Using advanced Virtual Reality simulations, STITCH Dwellings allows clients to explore and experience their home in a virtual environment before construction starts. Highly detailed renderings provide a lifelike representation of the finished space, ensuring the design aligns with the client’s vision.
Finally, in the Confidence Phase, STITCH Dwellings supports homeowners throughout the building process. While the construction team takes the lead, the firm remains actively involved, ensuring that the architectural vision is executed precisely.
From laying the foundation to the final walkthrough, STITCH Dwellings stands by their clients, advocating for their best interests every step of the way. This purposeful approach has positioned STITCH Dwellings as a leader in residential design across North Carolina. Whether creating a modern mountain retreat or a timeless family home, the team’s dedication to clarity, creativity, and confidence ensures that every project results in a thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted living space.
For more information, visit STITCHDwellings.com or call (828) 998-1028 to learn more about designing your dream home.
Signature Wealth Arrives to Banner Elk
Introducing the newest addition to Banner Elk’s financial landscape—a team of seasoned professionals ready to bring their expertise, personalized service, and strong sense of community to the area. Led by Senior Wealth Advisors, John Barrier, CFP®, and Sean Bokhoven, AAMS®, this dynamic team is focused on delivering exceptional financial planning and wealth management services with a commitment to building lasting relationships.
While the team may be new to Banner Elk, John Barrier is no stranger to the High Country. Having spent much of his career here, he has a deep understanding of the local community and its unique financial needs. Together, John and Sean bring over 45 years
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of experience in financial strategies, investment management, and retirement planning.
Supporting John and Sean are two exceptional team members, Lindsay Harrison, FPQP®, and Ellie Pittman, who ensure that clients receive seamless service every step of the way. Their dedication to client engagement is what truly sets this team apart—they pride themselves on being accessible, transparent, and committed to understanding the unique goals of each client.
The team shares they are “proud to call Banner Elk home and couldn’t be more excited to plant roots in this beautiful community.” They say their goal is to build lasting relationships and provide financial guidance to families, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the High Country.
As part of Signature Wealth, a practice that has been committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals since 1970, John, Sean, and their team are backed by the resources and expertise of Raymond James, one of the nation’s largest independent financial services firms.
“Signature Wealth isn’t just a company; it’s a community made up of parents, children, community leaders, and entrepreneurs—just like you. With over 3,500 families served, $2.2 billion in assets under management (as of 12/31/2023), and a team of 55+ financial professionals, Signature Wealth’s reputation for excellence speaks for itself.”
With offices in Banner Elk and Winston-Salem, the Signature Wealth team is ready to meet the unique needs of the High Country while creating a welcoming environment where clients feel heard, valued, and supported in every aspect of their financial journey.
Visit the team at 1900 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk, NC 28604, or find them online at signaturewealth.com/high-country. You can also reach them at 828-832-3831 to learn more. Pictured on the previous page: Sean Bokhoven and John Barrier
Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Signature Wealth Strategies is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.
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Linville
Caverns: The Reopening of an Enchanted High Country Limestone Cave Attraction By Steve York
For years, its regional advertising has read simply, “See Inside a Mountain,” and is typically accompanied by photos of amazing formations within the subterranean passageway winding through the mysterious stalactiteand stalagmite-lined walls of our wondrous Linville Caverns.
Unfortunately, until recently, you couldn’t see inside that mountain. In fact, this very popular attraction was completely shut down and almost inaccessible immediately following extensive flooding caused by hurricane Helene. But, the good news is that Linville Caverns has officially reopened.
The mysterious underground passageway that normally carried visitors on walking tours deep into the caverns suffered severe flooding and, in some cases, flood waters had risen as high as the ceilings. Fortunately, that flooding caused mostly mud and silt deposits that were able to be cleared out following the hurricane. However, some of the main flood damage took place in the adjoining gift shop and offices, and that required additional time
to restore to full operations.
The gift shop has always been especially fascinating. On any given day during open hours, the shop is typically swarming with visitors enthralled by row after row of spectacular geodes and crystals of all colors and sizes, along with polished rocks, area crafts reflective of mountain culture, a wide variety of souvenirs, plus copies of the official history behind the discovery of Linville Caverns in 1822 and its public opening in 1939.
Former President and much beloved manager of Linville Caverns, Sarah Davis—whose family has owned the attraction since her grandfather, Spenser Collins, purchased the property in 1941—passed away in December, 2024. Since then, Davis’s son, William “Zack” Medford, has become President, and 26-year Cavern veteran Lanie Gross has taken the reins as manager.
As Sarah Davis’s devoted helper for over a quarter of a century, Gross is the ideal person to assume the manager role. “I started working for Sarah as a tour guide in August
of 1998,” Gross recalled. “She trusted me and taught me how to manage daily operations and maintain good customer, employee, and vendor relationships. What inspired me most about Sarah was her caring nature, her faith in the basic goodness of people, and the resilience and courage she displayed when her own life became difficult. I will also forever miss the humor she found in many situations, and that she was always willing to listen when anyone needed to talk. In honor of that spirit, we are very excited to be back open to the public and able to conduct our cavern tours again,” Gross added.
Current operating hours are Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5p.m., with 15-person tours starting every ten minutes and lasting around 35 minutes. Linville Caverns is located just off Hwy 221 at the base of Humpback Mountain in McDowell County. News updates and seasonal hours are available at linvillecaverns.com and on Facebook at Linville Caverns Inc. Photos courtesy of Linville Caverns
Western Youth Network Marks 40 Years with Bold $11.5M “Building Brighter Futures” Campaign
By Ginger Hansen
Forfour decades, Western Youth Network (WYN) has been a lifeline for children in North Carolina’s High Country. Through after-school programs, mentorship, mental health support, and family resources, WYN has helped thousands of young people overcome obstacles and build brighter futures.
Now, as the need for WYN’s services reaches an all-time high, the organization is launching its most ambitious initiative yet—the “Building Brighter Futures” campaign. This effort will provide new facilities, strengthen programs, and ensure every child in need has access to the support and opportunities they deserve.
This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about changing lives.
A Critical Need
This campaign comes at a pivotal time. A recent childcare study by the Watauga Economic Development Commission and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce revealed a major shortage of after-school care—with 1,672 spots needed in Watauga County.
“The recently released Watauga County Childcare Study highlights the need for expanded after-school care. WYN’s new facility would provide highquality opportunities for children across Watauga County,” says David Jackson,
President of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “The programs and spaces that WYN provides enhance scholastic achievement and socialization—and more broadly, help stabilize the workforce by giving parents reliable afterschool care.”
The need for WYN’s programs has skyrocketed, doubling in just the last year. But with the loss of their longtime facility due to Hurricane Helene, WYN has been stretched beyond measure.
When floodwaters damaged WYN’s historic Junaluska location, Executive Director Jennifer Warren knew an era had ended.“Hurricane Helene had a drastic impact on our facilities and ability to provide services without interruption, creating an even more urgent need for WYN to expand—and expand quickly,” says Warren. “We’re grateful for those who have already stepped up to support this campaign, but we have more work to do.”
With WYN’s administrative space temporarily serving as a makeshift after-school center, the question remains: How quickly can we truly meet the growing needs of our children?
A Campaign That Will Change Lives
The Building Brighter Futures campaign is focused on two urgent priorities:
1. Creating More Space for Kids to Learn and Grow
WYN is constructing an 18,280-square-foot youth center—a first-of-its-kind facility in the High Country. This safe, welcoming space will allow WYN to serve more children and provide them with the stability, encouragement, and hope they need.
The new facility will include:
n Dedicated after-school wings for elementary and middle school students
n A teen center for safe recreation after school, evenings, and weekends
n A professional counseling space for students and families
n Multipurpose rooms for parent education, community meetings, and support programs
n A kitchen for nutrition education, ensuring kids learn healthy habits
n Spaces for art, music, and technology, helping kids discover their passions
This isn’t just about adding space— it’s about creating a home away from home for kids who crave stability and support.
2. Strengthening Mental Health & Resilience Programs
Beyond the new facility, the campaign is dedicated to expanding lifechanging support services that address the deep emotional and psychological needs of local youth.
Our nation recognizes that anxiety, depression, loneliness and other mental health concerns are affecting children
Rendering of the new Youth Center
and youth at an alarming rate. The High Country is no exception. Many children have endured traumatic events, financial struggles, and decreased quality time with positive adults. Without intervention, these challenges can have lifelong consequences.
The Building Brighter Futures campaign will fund:
n An on-site mental health counselor to support children dealing with trauma, anxiety, and depression
n A “continuum of care” model to provide consistent support from kindergarten through high school graduation (currently Watauga’s afterschool program has space for middle school students only)
n Expanded after-school programs— to help meet the serious need in the area.
These aren’t just programs. They’re investments in resilience, hope, and brighter futures.
Real Stories, Real Impact
WYN’s impact can be seen in the lives of children like Alohna.
By third grade, Alohna had already endured deep loss and financial hardship. But then, she found WYN.
Through WYN’s mentorship program, she connected with caring adults who encouraged her, helped with schoolwork, and gave her the confidence to
dream bigger. She found friends, laughter, and a sense of belonging.
Today, Alohna is thriving. She recently graduated from Appalachian State University and is filled with hope for her future.
But for every Alohna, hundreds of kids are still waiting for a chance like this.
We’re Over Halfway There— But We Need You
So far, the community has stepped up in a big way—raising $7.7 million toward the $11.5 million goal. But there’s still work to do.
This campaign isn’t just WYN’s mission—it’s a community mission. It’s about coming together to meet a critical need, lift up our children, and invest in their futures. Here’s how you can help:
Donate – Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to the goal. A gift today can change a child’s life forever.
Spread the word – Share WYN’s story and encourage others to support the campaign.
Volunteer – Whether as a mentor, tutor, or event volunteer, your time makes a huge difference.
A Legacy of Hope
For 40 years, WYN has been a beacon of hope for the High Country’s youth.
The Building Brighter Futures cam-
paign is a bold step forward—one that will ensure no child is left behind, no potential goes untapped, and no dream is out of reach.
This is our moment to stand up for the children who need us most. Whether through a donation, volunteering, or spreading the word, you can be part of something bigger—something that changes lives for generations to come.
Visit westernyouthnetwork.org/campaign to help build brighter futures today.
Rendering of the new Center's interior lobby
WYN helps young people build brighter futures.
Serving Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in the High Country
Local nonprofits offer vital assistance to those most in need
By Emily Webb
Intimate partner violence is a serious issue affecting millions of Americans. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States will experience rape, physical violence, or stalking at the hands of an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. Although these statistics are dismaying, many organizations exist in the country to offer support and resources for those experiencing intimate partner violence. The High Country is no exception.
The domestic violence shelter SafePlace first opened its doors in 1996 after Mitchell County residents recognized there was a need in the community for a literal “safe place” where survivors of intimate partner violence could turn to for help. The original shelter could house up to 12 clients at a time, and also provided advocacy services and resources for survivors.
“Oftentimes, survivors taking the step of breaking free from abuse have no safe place to escape or may not be aware of options for escape. With SafePlace, survivors can have safe shelter and/or advocacy to help them navigate this difficult time,” said Kellie Honeycutt, executive director of SafePlace.
In 2019, while working with SafePlace on a grant to pay for facility repairs, local funding organization AMY Wellness Foundation learned that the need for domestic violence support in Mitchell County
was greater than what SafePlace could provide at the time. Luke Howe, executive director of AMY Wellness, recalls working with Honeycutt to address this need.
“Kellie had identified a property that was owned by HCA Healthcare and that they were no longer using. I was able to meet with some of the leadership of HCA, and over the course of seven months we were able to get that property donated to AMY Wellness foundation, and from then we were able to work with Dogwood Health Trust to receive a grant to do a complete gut and remodel of that property,” Howe said. “We were able to put them in a virtually brand-new facility where they’re able to better serve clientele and able to serve more families and men as well.”
This partnership between AMY Wellness and SafePlace reflects the spirit of collaboration common to anyone who has spent time in the High Country. AMY Wellness works with a number of local organizations to identify funding opportunities and projects that benefit women in the High Country, including classes and resources for new mothers through Blue Ridge Partnership for Children and new workforce housing in Spruce Pine. AMY Wellness relies on input from community members with lived experiences to find the areas of most need in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties, and recognizes the impor-
tance to nonprofits of having funding partners that understand the local landscape. Since SafePlace moved to its new facility in 2021, it has been able to expand operations. The organization has grown from mainly working with volunteers to employing 26 staff members. Along with the 24-hour shelter and other resources available to survivors, SafePlace also runs two thrift stores that allow those escaping intimate partner violence— who often have to leave behind all possessions—to start fresh, free of charge. “Our services are so much more than just a safe place to stay,” Honeycutt said. “We also offer court accompaniment and legal aid referrals, bilingual services, support groups, a 24-hour emergency hotline, food assistance, prevention education in the schools, and referrals to affordable housing in our area. Without an option such as SafePlace, survivors and their children may be unable to safely escape unsafe situations, may not have an advocate to aid them during the dangerous time of leaving an abusive relationship, and may not know helpful resources within our community that are available to them.”
While SafePlace primarily serves Mitchell County residents, another organization cares for survivors of intimate partner violence in both Watauga and Avery counties.
OASIS—Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter—has been operating in the High Country since 1978. The organization assists all individuals and families of all identities experiencing intimate partner and domestic violence through a variety of services, including emergency shelter, legal assistance, and medical advocacy. OASIS also works in the community to educate about healthy relationships and prevent future instances of domestic violence. As a non-government organization, clients are assured that law enforcement will only be involved if requested, which helps many clients feel more comfortable about accessing services.
After working for nearly 50 years out of their Watauga Country location, OASIS was granted funding in 2024 to open a second location in Avery County, which will have enormous benefits for High Country locals.
“We have always had a goal of opening a second shelter location and experienced a major barrier of funding any time we explored the options. The Avery County Commissioners were generous enough to give us funding from the Opioid Settlement Funding they received, and this allowed us to purchase a property,” said Kellie Bass, Prevention Outreach Manager at OASIS. “This will allow us to serve more survivors, while also ensuring that survivors
in Avery County do not need to leave their home county, jobs, schools, churches, families, friends, and support systems to seek the support they need!”
Although intimate partner violence is a global issue, rural communities like Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties face additional challenges in combating domestic violence because of a lack of resources, making organizations like SafePlace and OASIS even more vital. These organizations play an important role in not only offering an alternative to dangerous home environments, but connecting survivors to an essential network of resources they may not know exist.
The recent destruction caused by Hurricane Helene further demonstrated the value of these local organizations. According to Bass, rates of intimate partner violence can increase by as much as 40 percent after a disaster. As all of western North Carolina dealt with storm damage, SafePlace and OASIS also had to continue their regular work. Although one of SafePlace’s thrift stores was damaged, and those staying at the shelter needed to rely on generators and daily supply deliveries, the nonprofit provided relief to the wider community by running a distribution center out of the other thrift store. OASIS ramped up efforts to support their clients, as many individuals and families lost their homes in the
storm, relying on community partnerships to supplement the organization’s funding. OASIS also held a candlelight vigil at the Jones House in Boone to help community members work through the feelings of grief and loss that were prevalent after the storm. AMY Wellness Foundation also continued to support their partner organizations, granting $1.7 million to 36 local organizations through the emergency response fund.
During both normal operations and once-in-a-lifetime storms, nonprofit organizations in the High Country are essential sources of support for individuals and families facing intimate partner violence and other challenges. Thanks to SafePlace, OASIS, AMY Wellness, and many others, High Country residents have the opportunity to live safer, healthier, and happier lives.
OASIS will be hosting fundraising events throughout the year to hit their $750,000 fundraising goal, including a large gala event on November 15. Follow them on social media (Oasis Inc. on Facebook and @oasishighcountry on Instagram) to stay informed.
Blowin’ In the Wind
I’mexperienced at doing laundry (aren’t we all). But, darned if I don’t lose a sock now and then (don’t we all). Looking for a sole mate’s a job unless it’s a soul mate of the rom-com kind as in the play Maytag Virgin. Suave Jack demos his clothes dryer for next-door neighbor Lizzy, arguing her outdated clothesline is laborious and slow, suggesting she embrace his spiffy smart machine…or is it something else?
A honeyed, but decisive, voice booms past a suspended rope dividing their yards: “I’ve been doing my laundry the same way since grade school, Mr. Key. I do not need a dryer, I will never need a dryer,” Lizzy bellows, hurriedly unsnapping clothespins, leaving one garment still hanging—a lacy white nightgown.
Well, phew! Inside, the theater’s steamy-hot, but miles from ‘Broadway’ it’s a cool spring morning in Boone. On Bamboo Road, near Deer Valley Athletic Club, laundry’s catching a breeze on a clothesline that hundreds pass by, soaking in its dreamy nostalgia, ever-changing flirtatiousness and fresh-air sensations. So, who’s the real-life Lizzy and...
By Gail Greco
…What really is that air-dried scent?
Today, the iconic line’s awash in denim. Billowing chambray shirts frolic with high-kicking blue jeans. I stop for a closer look and am greeted by the 74-year-old laundress herself, and this article’s inspiration, Connie Keller. Like Lizzy, she tells me, “I will never use a dryer.” Unlike Jack, Connie’s husband supported her organic method, stringing wire to cemented steel poles some 25 years ago.
“My clothes dry faster; no shrinkage; and especially with my eager helper, sevenyear-old Rafe, this isn’t a chore. He shies from my undies, though,” his great-aunt grins, recalling when unmentionables were discreetly hidden behind “more acceptable” garments. Clotheslines were a local news source: Who had a baby; made the football team; landed a new job. Or, oops, had a party and you weren’t invited!
Recently, a lacy tablecloth drying on the line suggested spring cleaning might be underway at Keller’s. Or, maybe a neighbor’s linen? “I always say ‘yes’ if someone asks to hang something. We all want that fresh-air-fix,” smiles Connie. That’s when it hit me. How’s this seductive fragrance the same worldwide?
“It’s science,” answers Appalachian State University’s Associate Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Michael Hambourger.
“Wow! Who’d a thought...”
“Right,” he quips. “Most of us believe it’s just in the air itself but it’s a photochemical oxidation process occurring under the sun. Organic compounds trap in wet fabrics allowing UV photons to
react, producing C5-C9 aldehydes and ketones—the pleasant aroma we all love,” muses the professor.
Of Teacups and Towels: The new home laundry room
“Inhaling an air-dried garment takes us back home,” cheers Tatum Galleries & Interiors manager Summer Hays. An outside air-drying practitioner herself, she coaxes, “If you can’t dry outside, bring the scent’s essence inside by creating a space you want to live in no matter the size.” Tatum Galleries’ designers in Banner Elk achieve that with wallpapers, lighting fixtures, and pretty but practical floating shelves.
Building a home in Meat Camp last year, Kristin and Bryan Lanham included a 12- by 14-foot multi-purpose laundry. An antique Swedish armoire holds linens and Kristin’s crocheting, while an ironing board’s at the ready and a table’s handy for crafts or a card game as the washer whirls—or not. “Laundries have been onedimensional,” Kristin laments. “But we said, not this time. Looking out the window, I fold. Watch the deer. Am I working?”
The Lanhams’ builder, Anthony Hill (Hill Creek Homes, Boone), explains the do-all laundry trend: “With ever-growing construction costs, rooms need careful planning, organizing, focusing on packing them full of practicality without sacrificing style.”
A “style” designer Leah Parks, owner of Distinctive Cabinetry of the High Country (Banner Elk), suggests is all about finding
Connie Keller Repurposed hall closet
I’mPressed, the new style laundromat
The Lanhams’ new multi-use laundry
Laundrosaurus, by Helga Stentzel, helgastentzel.com, FB@ helgastentzel
Spring-Cleaning Alert: Hangin’ with the laundry and lovin’ it!
beauty and ease in utility, “flaunting your personality—simple to let-it-all-hangout spaces. We plan cabinetry wisely with docking stations; robo-vacs behind toekicks; hidden hampers; and disappearing pull-out drying racks; functional especially for small rooms.”
My wash/fold/repeat room is tiny—a front-hall closet we renovated to also welcome visitors’ hats and coats. High Country art and potted plants distract and create calm, expressing my style, so losing a sock’s merely a reason to have a cup of tea, bringing me to fluff-and-fold countertops to hold that cuppa and more. Linville’s Classic Stone Works owner Debbie Guinn cites granite’s natural chic and durability as ideal for laundries: “Solid surfaces allow us to create drip-dry stone basins, puppy waterbowl filling areas, and so much more.”
Know when to hold ’em; when to fold ’em
“Don’t gamble with cleaning heavy bedding at home, advises Richard Schaffer, owner of the prestigious Dewoolfson shop (between Boone and Banner Elk) that specializes in down bedding and fine linens. “Sometimes you need a professional cleaning service, but pick one that uses a water process,” he insists.
David Woods, owner of I’mPressed Wash & Folde, knew dryer fires well as a Florida fireman before building the ecofriendly, no-forever-chemicals laundry in 2024 with wife Jennifer. If it weren’t for a vintage washboard sign out front, the charming cupola-topped laundry with a
tin roof and crisp-white board and batten siding could be mistaken for someone’s Banner Elk farmhouse. If you haven’t used their pick-up/delivery service, Suds Up, enter homey double front doors to a complimentary coffee bar and watch an array of folks with drop-offs: Lees-McRae College students; chefs with dining-room linens; residents with winter coats; campers with sleeping bags. While the Woods arrived in town and opened a laundry, Erin and Jonathan Carpenter left town to re-open Reynolds Laundromat (Charleston, SC), complete with a lending library, music jams, and free laundry days. Working at App State’s Center for Entrepreneurship drew Jonathan to the new (coin) laundromat movement he defines as, “Changing from dreary, tedious places to upbeat community centers reflecting simpler times—people wanting to interact besides social media.”
Clothes minded: Have you hugged your laundry today?
Hanging with the laundry can stir romance as it did for country music idol Dolly Parton and husband when they met at Wishy Washy Laundromat (Nashville) 60 years ago. As the award-winning Maytag Virgin by Audrey Cefaly progresses, we see that oncoming for Jack and Lizzy, who had both lost their beloved spouses and were trying to find a way forward. Which way? The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind until you can get to a theatre performance near you. Ensemble Stage (Banner Elk) ordered the script, and is considering
Maytag Virgin for a future season. But you won’t want to miss this season’s “laundry-themed” play, A Red Plaid Shirt. (Ensemblestage.com)
The Keller family settled here circa 1935 on what’s now Boone Airport and part of Boone Golf Club, so Connie’s clothesline is grandfathered in, where many HOAs prohibit them. Okay with Connie’s nextdoor neighbor, Gerry Keller. At 94, she’s a “never-clothesliner,” but mother and daughter get along famously. And after all, a dryer has off-air bennies including being hugged by a bundle of just-warmed sheets. Laundry devotees of all kinds walk among us!
Neighborhood Yoga founder Valerie Midgett explains that a chore can be enjoyable, referring to Zen Buddhism’s Samu tenet where attention and focus on menial duties—cleaning, cooking, and specifically laundry—are paths to peace/meditation. Also owner of Rooted on King (the Boone restaurant’s signature masala chai should be in my laundry-room teacup), Midgett coaches: “Look at colors, textures, folding the clothes. Pivot the mind and heart away from the work.”
Maybe this mindfulness will also reveal my missing sock. Is it hanging in the London artist Helga Stenzel’s Laundrosaurus animal clothesline art collection? If not, I’ll head to where surely they can help at either Abingdon, VA’s or Johnson City, TN’s The Lost Sock laundromat!
Maytag Virgin, courtesy of Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota
Reducing the Risks from Wildland Fires
I am sure residents and visitors to the High Country have read the articles or seen the news stories of wildland fires threating homes and property. These incidents consume hundreds of thousands of acres and hundreds of homes each year in the U.S. It is important that we improve our efforts to reduce the risks to life and property.
Most recently, we all witnessed the total devastation a wildland fire can create, when thousands of homes were destroyed in Los Angeles. During the L.A. fires, 29 people lost their lives. In early March, fires burned in the low country of South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach area experienced multiple fires threatening thousands of lives and homes.
While our fuel type here in the High Country is different from those in the western states, the potential for devastating wildland fires still exists. This was evidenced by the series of fires during November of 2016: the Horton Fire here in Watauga County, and the Gatlinburg, TN, wildfires. During the Horton Fire, 55 homes were threatened by the wind-driven fire, which burned 1,500 acres before being fully contained. Because of the hard work of firefighters, and a little luck with weather conditions, all of the homes were saved with very little damage. Had the weather conditions changed, the Horton Fire could have been much worse!
Increased Risks: A Closer Look
Andrew Harsey, Watauga County Forest Ranger, is concerned with the increased fire danger in our area after Hurricane Helene and the additional winter storms we’ve recently experienced. Harsey says, “Don’t let complacency catch you. Watauga County’s wildfire potential hasn’t been this high in a long time. With the recent storms, we have the fuel load on the ground that will remain for years to come. It will be easy to let a harmless campfire or weekend clean-up project escape into the storm damaged areas and pose a major threat to life, property, and resources. Stay vigilant with proper and smart fire safety procedures.”
I feel we need to ask a couple of questions: Why has the damage and devastation from wildland fires increased so much in the past twentyplus years? Why are more homes being threatened with damage or destruction from wild fires?
I believe it has to do with the increased number of homes and developments being built in previously wilderness areas; this area is known as the wildland/urban interface. As we keep expanding and placing more homes deeper into the woods, we increase the number of wildland fire causes and place more homes in the path of dangerous, outof-control wild fires. One only has to look at the housing growth in the Boone area and Watauga County as a prime example of expanding the wildland/urban interface.
In 1981, a large fire in the Aho area of Watauga County burned more than 700 acres. If we look at the footprint of that fire, over 100 homes
By Mike Teague
have since been built on that acreage. If we continue to build in these areas, then additional efforts will need to be made to reduce the risk to these homes. Building homes closer together and in the wildland/ urban interface area make saving and protecting them more difficult and more dangerous for firefighters.
Decrease the Danger
Debris Burning: We need to observe established burning laws within the State and local jurisdictions. Obtain a burning permit; if you plan to burn between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., a burning permit is required. They’re available from permit agents or online from the NC Department of Natural Resources at: apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/. Be aware that in some communities, such as the Town of Boone, open debris burning is forbidden. Don’t burn anything but natural vegetation. Burning manufactured items such as synthetics and treated woods can intensify the fire and release dangerous toxins into the air.
Don’t burn during marginal weather periods—times in which we have experienced very little rain and have high winds predicted. If these conditions exist, then delay burning until after appreciable rains have fallen and the winds have subsided.
When you burn, be sure to leave a competent person with the fire for the entire burn, and fully extinguish the fire before leaving. Studies show that ashes can remain hot for several days after a campfire or debris burn is “extinguished.” All that is needed are dry conditions and a little wind, and we have an uncontrolled wildland fire.
Campfires: Campfires are fun and provide a great opportunity to share quality family time together. Following a few simple rules will keep this fun moment from becoming a serious incident. Never pour any kind of combustible or flammable liquids on the fire. The sudden ignition of the vapors can produce a large flame causing thermal burns to anyone near the fire. Keep the campfire in a manufactured fire pit or hand dug pit. Remove all combustible vegetation such as grass and leaves from around the pit. This will provide a clear space, keeping the fire from easily spreading. As noted, make sure the fire and ashes are completely extinguished before leaving the fire. The easiest way to ensure hot embers are extinguished is to pour water on the ashes and stir them with a rake or shovel.
Grill Safety: There is just something about the taste of a grilled burger on a beautiful High Country night! I want to provide a few grilling safety tips, so your spring and summer nights go just right. Anytime you grill, make sure the grill is kept at a safe distance from combustibles. Five to ten feet of space should be a minimum of clearance from combustibles. Never grill in enclosed porches, garages or under covered
The Horton Fire, 2016 photo by USFS Incident Mgt Team
decks. In addition to the obvious fire concerns, carbon monoxide produced by the burning gas or charcoal can quickly poison individuals, especially children.
As with fire pits, make sure the coals from charcoal grills are extinguished and are cold before discarding them. NEVER place ashes of any kind in combustible containers. Put ashes in metal containers only and then seal them with the lid. After you have finished with the gas grill make sure to turn off the valve at the tank. Never leave the gas tank or gas lines “on” to the grill. By turning the tank off, unintended leaks and gas buildups can be avoided.
Fireworks: Where do I start with fireworks?
Leave them to the professionals! Every year hundreds of thousands of burns occur because of fireworks. I know it is popular and/ or intriguing to go to Tennessee and get the “real” stuff. Out-of-state fireworks are illegal in North Carolina and you can get into trouble by just having them in your possession. I would like to suggest that you save your money and attend one of many local professional shows, which are inspected for safety and are free. Additionally, these shows have technicians who are well trained, insured and legal!
Create a defensible space around your home: One of the best tools that you can employ to protect your home is to create a defensible space. A defensible space is a cleared area roughly 100 to 200 feet in width around your home. In the defensible space, all light weight, combustible foliage is removed. Additionally, leaf debris and all dead, combustible natural vegetation is removed. No stacked firewood or combustibles are stored in the defensible space and near the home. This defensible space gives firefighters a safer area in which to protect your home. The NC Forest Service can help homeowners develop a plan for improving their defensible space. Please reach out to your local county ranger to schedule an appointment. (In Watauga County, Andrew Harsey can be reached by email at Andrew. harsey@ncagr.gov.)
When it comes to fire safety, making an effort to follow these guidelines can reduce the number of wildfires and their impacts to your family and others in our community.
Mike Teague is a 1987 graduate from ASU, and has 41 years of fire service experience. Mike served two years as the Avery County Fire Marshal and 36 years with the Boone Fire Department, where he is currently serving as the Assistant Fire Chief, certified fire service instructor, and level 3 fire prevention inspector and level 3 fire and life safety educator.
Spring Tonics
By Jim Casada
WAYS
Other than a note on calendars indicating the date is the first day of spring, there’s no national holiday or special observance connected with the arrival of greening-up time. But rest assured the coming of spring has been both welcome and anxiously awaited in the High Country. Another round of cabin fever has come and gone. Longer days and earth’s reawakening put pep in an old man’s step and lift the spirits of the young. Mollygrubs and miseries magically vanish. Yet this welcome time of transition, at least in yesteryear, was never complete until everyone had been “dosed” with one or more spring tonics.
When it comes to this traditional rite of mountain springs, it’s tempting to claim, decades after the fact, that I was the victim of child abuse. If so though, child abuse was once near universal in the highlands. This particular tradition involved an annual “tonic,” with the underlying premise being that after a long, hard winter everyone’s plumbing needed a thorough cleansing—a sort of internal “pick me up.” The restorative came in numerous forms including sassafras tea, various types of wild greens, and the noxious remedy which reigned supreme in my family, sulfur and sorghum molasses.
Every year, as frogs began to peep on warm afternoons, buds on maples swelled and showed red, and early spring wildflowers burst into bloom the subject of spring tonics entered adult conversation. Although my mother was a firm believer in cleansing the inner body at that season, the leading voice in the call to action when it came to the administration of spring tonics was that of Grandma Minnie. As moderating weather brought the first hints of escaping winter’s doldrums, she became increasingly fixated on the subject. For my part, the whole process was completely repugnant.
At some juncture Grandpa Joe would add his pithy commentary to the spring tonic groundswell, although as a rule he sagely did so out of earshot of Grandma Minnie. I didn’t really mind his opining, since he staunchly maintained the finest of spring tonics came in either the form of sassafras tea, or perhaps better still, the purgative effect of wild vegetables such as poke sallet. “Eat a big bait,” he reckoned, “and it will set you free.” He knew that edible mountain greens had salutary effects. They also tasted good. Since I was quite fond of the various wild greens popular in the Smokies and regularly consumed by mountain folks, I was all for spring tonics as Grandpa defined them, never mind aftershocks as predictable as preparation for a colonoscopy.
On the other hand, the female side of the family’s perspective on spring tonics troubled me to no end. It involved nostrums sternly administered and carefully observed for proper after-effects, and discussions preceding the actual event were at least as troubling as the terrible taste. It was sort of like anticipating a visit to the dentist or being told by your mother, after some particularly egregious misbehavior, “I’m going to let you wait until your father gets home so he can give you a real whipping.” To my way of thinking everything Grandma and Momma had in mind when it came to spring tonics wasn’t merely unpleasant; it was diabolical. The tonics smelled bad, tasted worse, and were administered under considerable mental duress.
I would have already had far more than one boy’s fill of cod liver oil during winter, because throughout my early childhood you took a government-supplied capsule of it daily at school whether you wanted to or not. Yet the foul taste of fish oil was mere child’s play in comparison to foulness of the key ingredient in Grandma’s favorite spring tonic—
Leaves of American Pokeweed
Trout lilies in bloom —one of the earliest signs of spring
Sassafras
flowers of sulfur. Since I dearly loved sorghum syrup, a nectar-like gift from the culinary gods, the first time I was about to be on the receiving end of a hefty two-tablespoon treatment of sulfur and sorghum molasses I anticipated a treat. Talk about disillusionment!
Once the first spoonful of the mixture was in my mouth, realization immediately dawned I’d been hoodwinked, hornswoggled, bamboozled, and in general led down a fool’s path by two determined, scheming females whom heretofore I thought had loved me dearly. From that point forward until I “outgrew” the dictates of wily female family members, I dreaded the annual administration of spring tonic with mortal fear.
Although such was decidedly not the case in my family, there were those who thought the ideal way to render spring tonics innocuous or even downright pleasant was to accompany them with a solid slug of peartin’ juice. Not too long prior to his final arrest and subsequent suicide, I had the opportunity to discuss such matters with the late Popcorn Sutton. Popcorn was a genuine mountain character and lifelong producer, purveyor, and hearty partaker of corn squeezin’s. His studied opinion was that “a body needs some properly made likker, along with a mess of trout and bait of ramps and branch lettuce, to get into spring in fittin’ fashion.” I’m not about to defend his musings or lifestyle, but there’s no denying his prescription is one that has long enjoyed a considerable following.
Bitter draughts and illicit tanglefoot aside, the story underlying spring tonics is one typifying the practicality of hardy mountain folks. Before the winds of yesterday once more brought ever returning spring, a High Country diet during winter months was long on starches,
salted meat, pickled items, and dried foods. Even the winter squashes and root crops lacked essential vitamins, especially Vitamins C and K, along with fiber, calcium, and iron, found in green-leafed vegetables. It was a time when a balanced diet was pretty much impossible.
Mountain folks didn’t talk about eating a balanced diet, but they did discuss blood thinners, purging the body after winter, and come spring had an understandably strong craving for fresh victuals. That’s why the first greens of spring were so prized, and they were indeed a tonic to the body as well as a dietary approach that uplifted the spirits. After all, how can anyone resist the beauty of a warm spring day, the loveliness of a world gradually turning green once more, and the appeal of mountains aglow with flowers as the good earth reawakens? To me, that’s the ultimate spring tonic. To use the words former politician Zell Miller chose for the title of a fine book, these practices are now Purt Nigh Gone. Yet to recall them is to relish, even revere, such traditions.
Photo by Lewis Wickes, loc.gov
Spring Farmers’ Markets
Our local Farmers’ Markets are open for the season! Pick up everything from vegetable starts, to early fruits and veggies, meats and cheeses, cut and potted flowers, and arts and crafts. This convenient directory will help you find a market near you—enjoy the best of what our region has to offer! Please be sure to confirm dates/times with your markets of choice prior to scheduling a trip.
Abingdon Farmers Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m., and Tuesdays 3–6 p.m.
April–September
The corner of Remsburg Dr. and Cummings St. in downtown Abingdon, VA
Alleghany Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
May–October
Crouse Park in downtown Sparta, NC
Ashe County/West Jefferson Farmers Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
April–October
108 Backstreet, West Jefferson, NC
Avery County Farmers’ Market
Thursdays 3–6 p.m.
May 1 - mid-October
In front of the Historic Banner Elk School, 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, NC
Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market
First Fridays 2–6 p.m.
June–October
In the public parking lot across from Fred’s General Mercantile, Beech Mountain, NC
Farmers’ Markets
Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market
Thursdays 2–6 p.m.
May 15–October
370 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock, NC
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture’s King Street Market
Tuesdays 3:30–6:30 p.m.
May–October
126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC
Damascus Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
May–October
At Laurel Creek Park, 127 W Imboden St., Damascus, VA
Johnson County Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–Noon
May–October
Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City, TN
Lansing Park Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
April–October
Lansing Creeper Trail Park, 114 S Big Horse Creek Rd, Lansing, NC
Morganton Farmers’ Markets
Saturdays 8 a.m.–Noon
May–October
300 Beach St., Morganton, NC
Wednesday Mini Market, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
May–October
111 North Green St., Morganton, NC
Town of Newland Flea & Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20
Riverwalk Bandstand at 211 River St., Newland, NC
Check their FB page, Town of Newland Flea & Farmers Market, for updates
Watauga County Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
April–November
591 Horn in the West Dr, Boone, NC
Wilkes County/Wilkesboro Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 7:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., April 26–September
Tuesdays 3:30–5:30 p.m., June 3–September
Yadkin Valley Marketplace in downtown N. Wilkesboro, NC
High Country Food Hub, operated by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA)
A year-round online farmers’ market where you can order fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, artisan foods, cut flowers, body care products, and plants online and pick them up at one of seven convenient locations throughout Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.
CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE
Spring Restaurant Guide
ENJOY THE FLAVORS
n Bistro Roca
143 Wonderland Trail Blowing Rock, NC 28605
828.295.4008 bistroroca.com
“Bistro Roca restaurant & bar has a charming rustic ambiance specializing in innovative American cuisine. They offer a variety of dishes and drinks sourced locally, perfect for lunch or dinner!”
“The place to BE in downtown Banner Elk. Always something good being served up. Try the Crispy Chicken Wrap with grilled chicken, bacon, cheddar-jack, lettuce, tomato and onions topped with Ranch dressing. Also serving pasta, salads, breakfast, coffee, fresh baked goods and more. Practically everything you need in one location.”
n Casa Rustica 1348 NC-105 Boone, NC 28607
828.262.5128 casarustica1981.com
“Fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and a touch of Italian warmth await you. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience. Buon appetite!”
n Gamekeeper Restaurant
3005 Shulls Mill Rd Boone, NC 28607
828.963.7400 gamekeeper-nc.com
“We are well known for interesting and delicious interpretations of Southern classics. The menu changes seasonally, blending the traditional with the exotic, satisfying both meat and veggie lovers.”
n Jack’s 128 Pecan
128 Pecan St SE Abingdon, VA 24210
276.698.3159 128pecan.com
“At 128 Pecan, if you know our name, you know where to find us. Serving fresh, American cuisine that is simply good, quality eats. As grandma always said, ‘Food is the ultimate expression of love.’”
n Fred’s Backside Deli
501 Beech Mountain Pkwy Beech Mountain, NC 28604
828.387.4838 fredsgeneral.com
“Serving breakfasts, sandwiches, homemade soups and salads, beverages, including beer and wine, and freshly made desserts. Enjoy your meal on the deck in our wooded ‘backyard.’”
Continued on next page
n Cobo Sushi Bistro and Bar
161 W Howard Street Boone, NC 28607
828.386.1201
cobosushi.com
“Come join us for a well-deserved sushi break, we promise you’ve earned it….”
n Timberlake’s Restaurant and Headwaters Pub
185 Chetola Lake Dr Blowing Rock, NC 28605
828.295.5505
chetola.com/dining-2
“Discover the essence of YUM at Timberlake’s Restaurant! Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a family feast, our menu promises something extraordinary for everyone. Join us and savor the flavors of Timberlake’s Restaurant served with a side of stunning lakeside views.”
n Gideon Ridge
202 Gideon Ridge Rd Blowing Rock, NC 28605
828.295.3644
gideonridge.com
“Our farmers define our menu. The local Appalachian produce changes with the season and so does our menu.”
n Carolina BBQ
500 Pineola Street Newland, NC 28657
828.737.0700
carolinabbqnewland.com
“We specialize in pork barbecue, chicken, and ribs. With plenty of homemade sides, our menu accommodates anyone who’s hungry for excellent southern food.”
“We have been making and baking pizza for over 25 years. We have beers from around the world, cinema under the stars, hand crafted candies, fresh baked cookies, large flat screen TVs, full bar menu, polar golf, and an arcade. We are the place to eat, play and drink.”
n Lost Province Brewing Company
130 N Depot Street Boone, NC 28607
828.265.3506
lostprovince.com
“Beer-Battered Fish & Chips! A fan favorite for a reason and a delicious meal for any hungry guest.”
n Chef’s Table
140 Azalea Cir SE, Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-1940
bannerelkvillage.com/chefs-table
“Have you indulged in a sushi experience at Chef’s Table? Crafted with precision and passion, served in an intimate setting. Fresh flavors and expert technique make this a must-try.”
n Cellucci’s Italian Restaurant and Bar
2855 Linville Falls Hwy Pineola, NC 28662
828.733.1401 theitalianrestaurantnc.com
“The Italian style of cooking is simply great food to be enjoyed and shared with family and friends.”
n Bayou Smokehouse & Grill Restaurant
130 Main Street East, Village Shops
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828.898.8952
facebook.com/BayouSmokehouse
“Choice of Shrimp, crawfish and oyster Po’ Boys with lettuce, tomato, onion, & remoulade sauce!”
n Sorrento’s Italian Bistro
140 Azalea Circle SE
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828.898.5214
bannerelkvillage.com/sorrentos-italianbistro/
“Our recipes have been cherished through three generations, each bite reflecting the rich heritage of authentic Italian cuisine.”
n Williams Deli & Bakery
101 High Country Square #28
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828.898.2300
williamsdeliandbakery.com
“Taco Tuesday? More like turkey Tuesday! Grab one of our hot specialty sandwiches on freshly baked bread and add a cup of warm soup.”
And… Enjoy these other great restaurants in our area:
617 W King St, Boone, NC 28607 | 828.386.1000 | farmcafe.org
n Stonewalls
344 Shawneehaw Ave. S. Banner Elk, NC 28604
828.898.5550 | stonewallsrestaurant.com
“We created an environment where our guests can depend on the classics but have the option to venture out with our specials and nightly feature.”
n Stick Boy Kitchen
211 Boone Heights Drive Boone, NC 28607
828.265.4141
stickboybread.com/kitchen
“Stick Boy Kitchen (known simply as ‘the Kitchen’ to locals) offers breakfast plates, bagels, soups, sandwiches and salads, all made with the same singular focus on quality ingredients, freshness and creativity that Stick Boy is known for.”
From CML’s Kitchen
By Meagan Goheen
Strawberry Burrata
Salad with a Basil Vinaigrette
INGREDIENTS:
For the salad
5 ounces arugula
1 lb fresh quartered strawberries
2 balls of burrata
¼ cup chopped pistachios
Pickled red onions
Basil Vinaigrette
2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup basil
3 TBSP honey
2 large garlic cloves
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Blend all ingredients together
Pickled red onions
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
2 TBSP salt
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 cup water
DIRECTIONS:
n Add onions, garlic and peppercorns to a jar that can be sealed.
n To a small saucepan, bring water to a boil, turn off heat and stir in apple cider vinegar, sugar and salt until dissolved. Pour mixture over onions.
n Set aside to cool to room temperature, seal and store in fridge.
n They will be ready in about 1 hour and can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
n Assemble salad, tear burrata over the top, add remaining ingredients, dress and enjoy!
made with love!
Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta
INGREDIENTS:
4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
2 TBSP olive oil
2 TBSP butter
2 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 tsp dried thyme
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot minced
12 ounces quartered marinated artichokes, drained
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Pappardelle or pasta of choice
½ cup fresh-grated parmesan
DIRECTIONS:
n Cook pasta according to package directions, in heavily salted water. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
n Pat chicken dry.
n Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
n Heat olive oil and butter to medium-high heat in a large skillet.
n Sear chicken on each side for 7-8 minutes.
n Remove from pan and set aside.
n To the same pan add shallot and garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant; add in artichoke hearts.
n Add ½ cup of white wine and the zest and juice of 2 lemons and cook for 5 minutes.
n Turn off heat and add heavy cream, parmesan and parsley; add reserved pasta water until you have your desired consistency.
n Toss together pasta and lemon artichoke sauce.
n Slice chicken, add to pasta and enjoy!
made with love!
Strawberry Croissants
Overnight Bake
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup quartered strawberries
3 large croissants, cut into 1-inch cubes
8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 TBSP vanilla extract or paste
1 cup milk
Optional: serve with powdered sugar, mint and fresh strawberries
DIRECTIONS:
n To a greased pie plate add croissant pieces and top with quartered strawberries.
n With a hand or stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
n Add eggs and vanilla and milk until well blended.
n Pour custard over croissants and strawberries.
n Cover and refrigerate overnight.
n Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 35-40 minutes. Yum!
